SIMON Eastwood felt a draw was the fair result after Oxford United and Oldham played out a tense stalemate at the Kassam Stadium.

The goalkeeper was not stretched and opposite number Johny Placide only had one save of note to make, keeping out Rob Dickie's header just after the hour mark.

Although the 0-0 draw was not what United wanted, results elsewhere meant the gap to the bottom four in Sky Bet League One was extended to five points.

It was also only a second clean sheet in 15 games, which pleased Eastwood.

He said: "We’ve conceded a lot more goals this season than we did last season, so a clean sheet is always nice as a back five.

"Obviously we were trying to get the win, but I think it could have gone both ways.

"They had a chance in the last minute that went just over, so maybe a point is a fair result.

"I don’t think we created too much, although their keeper made a great save from Dickie’s header.

"Other than that there weren’t too many chances."

United could not be criticised for a lack of effort, but they lacked quality in the final third during a nervous afternoon.

Head coach Karl Robinson was quick to praise their endeavour, which was recognised by a supportive home crowd who applauded them off.

He said: "I don’t think the players, staff or fans could do any more.

"I can’t ask any more of the whole football club, I’m proud of them.

"I don’t know the last time we’ve kept a clean sheet, so it’s important we work on these fundamentals.

"You don’t win games if you concede a lot of goals – that’s been the case since I’ve been here. "

Ricardinho added: "When we play at home of course we want to take three points to continue doing well, but unfortunately we couldn’t get that.

"One point at home is not too bad and now we have to look to the next one.

"With the result we’re a bit upset because we wanted to win, because we’re near the bottom we need to get up as soon as possible.

"But we are happy with what we did in the game, of course we know we could be a little better and score, but I think we are happy."