Michael Appleton thinks only time will tell if Oxford United’s 1-1 draw at Hartlepool United was a good point or a missed opportunity.

While it was not the result United’s boss was hoping for ahead of kick-off, Hartlepool’s improved display meant it was not necessarily a case of two points dropped.

He said: “We’ll see, won’t we?

“It might be, but if their work rate and the way they went about their business is the same in the next five games then they will be taking points off people.”

Latest United news:

He added: “I think our quality came out in the final third of the game.

“We scored a good goal and worked the keeper a couple of times.

“But I think to get a point against a side with a new manager on board with a little bit of impetus from their point of view, as frustrating as it is, probably in a couple of days’ time I will be reasonably happy with it.”

Hylton’s goal was his 13th of the season, but ended a run of six games without finding the net.

Appleton thought it was thoroughly deserved for another performance where he looked the most dangerous player in United’s side.

He said: “It was a good goal and Danny will probably be a bit frustrated he hasn’t scored a couple.

“But I thought he was the one who really threatened their back line and was probably the only one who looked to get in behind enough times, rather than coming to feet all the time.”

New Hartlepool manager Ronnie Moore, who caused a stir by saying there was a possibility of signing convicted rapist Ched Evans – something the club robustly rejected yesterday – said: “When we got the goal we just needed to go and get a second one, but the fear factor set in, you could sense it.

“Once they equalised we stood firm and we didn’t wilt – we could even have pinched it again at the end.”

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.