Ryan Clarke was delighted with a shut-out on his 100th appearance for Oxford United.

Chesterfield had scored 80 goals in League Two this season, but they could not find a way past goalkeeper Clarke in Saturday’s entertaining 0-0 draw at the Kassam Stadium.

“I’m disappointed that we didn’t get the win, but happy with the clean sheet,” Clarke said afterwards.

“Hopefully, we can do next season what they’ve done this season, it’s nice to do it with three games to go as well.”

Clarke had to be especially on his toes as centre backs Jimmy Sangare and Mitch Hanson both had to go off injured, which meant Ben Purkiss taking over alongside Jake Wright in the centre of the U’s defence.

“It felt like a conveyor belt!” Clarke said with a smile.

“We’re absolutely gutted for Jimmy, he was fantastic last week and was great again today.

“Mitch Hanson was a clash of heads and they needed to glue it together a bit.

“He’s thrown his body on the line for us, and for me, and the gaffer, that’s great to see.

“The back four – or was it the back seven? – played brilliantly.”

Damian Batt, who was chosen in the PFA League Two Team of the Year last week, said: “Two clean sheets and the PFA award, it’s been a good week.

“But I’ve had tonsilitis and not been out of the house for a week.

“I feel for Jimmy and Mitch Hanson. I’ve broken both ankles and know what it’s like. But Ben came on and did really well.”

United will finish out of the play-off places, and Batt said: “I really wanted promotion and it’s not to be.

“But while the season goes on and some other teams are ready to go on holiday, we want to stay unbeaten and keep impressing the manager.”

U’s boss Wilder was happy with United’s performance against table-topping Chesterfield.

“We really pushed them back, I was just disappointed with the end product, because our play, against a really good side, was excellent.

“We’ve pushed the champions really hard today and we must make sure we take the positives from that.”