OXFORD United’s 3-0 win against Portsmouth was a tough introduction to life in Sky Bet League One, according to boss Kenny Jackett.

Pompey were playing their first away league game of the season following automatic promotion from the fourth tier, but lost out to second-half goals from Wes Thomas, Gino van Kessel and Josh Ruffels.

Jackett, whose side are seven points better off than the U’s heading into Sunday’s reverse fixture at Fratton Park, admitted the defeat was a reminder of the step-up in quality.

He told The News: “They are a side that have quite a lot of talent in their ranks and are established in League One.

“Earlier this season we faced them in my third match in charge and it was disappointing, we can’t complain about the 3-0 result.

“I thought they deservedly won, particularly the second half when they just had too much power for us.

“It was a wake-up call for the division, really.

“The substitutes they brought on took the game away from us on that occasion.

“They were the better side on that particular day.”