Deane Smalley wants to stay as Oxford United’s penalty taker despite seeing a spot-kick saved in the previous game.

The 25-year-old’s effort was saved late on in the 2-0 defeat to Scunthorpe United.

It rounded off a disappointing afternoon for Smalley, who had earlier given away a penalty, which was saved by Ryan Clarke.

The striker, whose seven goals this season include two penalties, is keen to make amends as soon as possible, so will be volunteering if United are awarded a penalty against Portsmouth tomorrow.

He said: “The best thing for me is to get on the pitch and put that right sooner rather than later.

“I had a penalty and missed, but if there’s an opportunity to take another, I’ll be stepping up.”

Smalley, who scored twice at Portsmouth’s Fratton Park on the opening day of the season, admits he had no idea how he gave away the other penalty.

He said: “I saw it back and it looks like I blatantly handballed it.

“I obviously didn’t mean to, no-one does. I don’t know what happened, but I’m not shying away from the fact I have handballed it.

“Luckily enough Clarkey rescued me.”