Jake Wright admitted a point was all Oxford United’s performance deserved as they took almost an hour to find their feet against basement side Hartlepool United.

Danny Hylton struck his 13th goal of the season to earn a 1-1 draw, after Joe Ironside had put the home side deservedly ahead eight minutes after the break.

It came after the visitors were put under pressure throughout much of the first half at Victoria Park as a rejuvenated Pools side raised their performance for Ronnie Moore’s first game in charge.

Wright felt the away side should have had enough quality to beat a team which had lost 14 of their 20 previous games in Sky Bet League Two, but on the balance of play acknowledged a draw was fair.

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The United skipper said: “We need to win games, we expected to come and win, but we didn’t play well enough to do that, if I’m honest.

“I thought we played really well in the last half an hour, but in the first half they were on top.

“The second half we were much better, but we need to start games like that.”

He added: “That’s probably the best they’ve played in the last month.

“I think they’ve turned up for a new manager.”

United’s cause was not helped by the loss of Wright’s partner at centre half, Johnny Mullins, after half an hour.

The two defenders collided, leaving Mullins with a rolled ankle.

Although he attempted to carry on, it was not long before he was forced off.

Wright said: “I didn’t know he was there, it was just one of those freak things. Hopefully it’s just a minor sprain.”

The injury handed a debut to Chey Dunkley, a month after he signed from Kidderminster Harriers.

It turned out to be a mixed game for the 22-year-old, who impressed in the air, but should have cut out the pass from which Ironside scored.

Wright said: “Chey came in and was dominant with his headers and good on the ball.”

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