JAKE Wright says it is vital Oxford United halt their winless run quickly or they risk getting dragged into a relegation battle.

The U’s have picked up just one point from their last five games, which has seen the gap to the npower League Two play-off places stretch from two points to ten.

Following a 2-1 home defeat to Fleetwood Town on Tuesday, they are now closer to the bottom two.

The U’s do have a nine-point cushion over the strugglers, so at this stage there is little cause for alarm with 15 games remaining.

But ahead of a trip to Plymouth Argyle, who are involved in the dogfight at the bottom, Wright knows how important it is to rediscover the winning habit.

The U’s skipper said: “At the moment we’re in a comfortable position regarding relegation, but lose five or six more games and you’re not in a comfortable position.

“Teams below us will pick points up and then you’d be looking over your shoulder – we don’t want to get to that stage because that’s when the pressure comes.

“At the moment, I don’t think we’re playing under too much pressure. If you’re feeling it, you have to get on with it.

“Plymouth are a side we’ve already beaten twice this season.

“They’re going to want to win and get three points closer to us. Let’s not beat around the bush, we’re on 39 points and they’re on 32, so three points is big for them.

“We need to make sure we win and move three points further away from them.

“They’ll be up for it and it’s going to be a difficult game, but there’s no reason why we can’t go there and win.”

While Wright says the squad are “hurting” from recent results, the defender takes consolation from the performances.

The 26-year-old thinks everyone can improve, but is convinced the run will turn if players stick to their task.

He said: “There’s not a lack of commitment. Everyone’s together, but it’s just not going for us at the moment.

“If we keep doing the right things it will turn around.”