BOSS Michael Appleton hailed a new-found trust with his Oxford United players as they delivered a disciplined performance to claim a point with a goalless draw at Portsmouth.

The home side had won four of their previous five games, but could not find a way through in the face of an excellent defensive display.

United had to absorb plenty of pressure and goalkeeper Ryan Clarke made two outstanding saves in the first half.

But after the break the visitors were particularly resolute and ensured Appleton was not a nervous spectator.

The head coach said: “The biggest thing I said to them afterwards was going into the closing stages of the game there was a trust.

“I felt we were going to see the game out and maybe even nick it on the counter.

“I genuinely wish, no matter what happens between now and the end of the season, that I had this group of players at the start.

“That’s the biggest compliment I can give them.

“That’s not trying to be disrespectful to the players that have come and gone, but there was a trust there with five minutes to go.

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“I knew I could trust people to do their jobs properly, and that’s what they did.”

The game came at the of a week where the squad had spent three days at a training camp at Bisham Abbey.

And the U’s boss did not think the fact it was followed by a well-organised performance at Fratton Park was a coincidence.

He said: “There was a real spirit about the players this week.

“We’ve enjoyed the training and the pitches have been good.

“The downtime they’ve spent together has been the most important thing and from my point of view, I get to know a bit about the players’ characters off the field.”

All the preparation might have been undone at the last moment.

Despite staying over locally on Friday night, traffic congestion around Fratton Park held up the team bus.

Appleton said: “One of the last things I said to the players in the team meeting before we left, was be prepared to deal with the unexpected, believe it or not, and get over something that doesn’t go to plan.

“They did that before we even kicked a ball.”