JOHN Lundstram believes Oxford United need to become braver on the ball after they suffered a second successive away defeat in Sky Bet League One.

Fleetwood Town were worthy 2-0 winners – and the margin of victory might have been greater if the hosts had their shooting boots on.

United by contrast had plenty of the ball in attacking areas, but were unable to turn it into clear chances.

Coming hot on the heels of a 2-1 loss at Bristol Rovers on Sunday, Lundstram felt the U’s struggled after falling behind last night.

The skipper said: “I think we needed a bit more belief we could get back in the game.

“We needed more bravery to try things in the final third.

“We’re going through a hard patch at the minute, but we have the talent within the group to get it back. It’s early in the season.”

“It’s a minor blip, but it’s early in the season.”

For head coach Michael Appleton there are issues at both ends of the pitch.

He said: “It is a lack of confidence, but there are two or three things worrying me at the minute.

“We’re not aggressive enough and it needs to be sorted. The type of goals we’re conceding are too easy.

“There are certainly things we need to address, but the good thing is we know what it is.

He added: “We were in the final third as much as Fleetwood were, but they made better decisions.

“For that to happen they put decent balls across goal and we didn’t do that enough.”

The head coach handed a first start to 19-year-old Miles Welch-Hayes at right back.

“It was obviously a difficult game for him on the back of Sunday, because there were a few people licking their wounds,” he said.

“He can be happy with his debut.

“His distribution let him down a bit at times, but he stuck at it which was pleasing and didn’t go missing.

“I think that will do him the world of good, regardless of the scoreline.”

Curtis Nelson (foot) and Dan Crowley (ankle) both missed the defeat, but are expected to be available for Saturday’s home game against Peterborough United.