ANDY Cook resigned as Oxford United Women’s manager following their 4-0 defeat by Doncaster Rovers Belles in the last game of the FA Women’s Super League 2 campaign on Sunday.

Despite battling hard, United extended their winless run to 11 matches and finished eighth in the table.

Explaining his decision on Twitter, Cook said: “For the last year and half I’ve had the pleasure of working in Oxford with some brilliant people and great players. But but my time with the club has come to an end.

“Football seasons come and go so quickly and the every changing nature means we all have to move on at sometime.

“Thank you to everyone at United it’s been an absolute honour to represent the club.

“I hope the club can continue its tradition of giving local players a chance to play at the highest level.

“I don’t know what the future brings. But I hope to see many of the talented footballers I’ve had the pleasure to work with, continue Oxford’s tradition of developing home-grown talent.

He felt the U’s spirited display in their defeat away to the league champions restored some of their pride.

“Two penalties and a set-piece in the first half killed us and then second half we’re quite happy with the performance,” said Cook, whose side had drawn 2-2 with Doncaster earlier this season.

“We changed a few things around tactically and were able to come out of the game with a little bit of pride.

“We started the season brilliantly and were second until going into November, but then it’s sort of petered out.

“But we’ve tried our best week in week out to get where we are.”

Belles ran out comfortable winners thanks to Jess Sigsworth’s hat-trick and a strike from Rhiannon Roberts.

Chloe Chivers hit a post late on for United.

Oxford Utd: Thomas, Lancaster, Short, Casley, Hillman, Allen, Baker, Carlton, Noble, Chivers, Fyfe (Timms 58). Subs not used: Lambourne, Graham, Franklin-Fraiture, Stroem, Oliver.

To buy tickets to an FA Women’s Super League match go to: www.fawsl.com/tickets.