JIM Bentley rued “critical errors” as Oxford United raced into a three-goal lead against his Morecambe side.

The visitors came with a clear game plan to play the ball out from defence, but were guilty of giving the ball away cheaply in their own half.

Bentley was frustrated by the errors, although the Shrimps boss made no apologies for the tactical approach.

He said: “We wanted to express ourselves and play the game the right way.

“We started quite well and had a decent chance, but after that we made a couple of critical errors in key areas of the pitch.

“Oxford are top of the table and things are going well for them, so they dispatched the chances.

“I don’t want to come to any ground and believe we can just pinch a draw.

“We tried to win the game, we tried to play the right way but when you’re struggling a bit for form you get done on any little mistake you make.

“That was the case and ultimately that cost us the game.”

Morecambe had overturned a three-goal deficit at half time to beat Chesterfield 4-3 last month, but Bentley admitted the odds of lightning striking twice were unlikely.

“If we had got one back you never know,” he said.

“We are always hoping we can do another Chesterfield, but that’s probably once every blue moon.”