DESPITE suffering another defeat, Chris Wilder felt Oxford United restored some pride with their performance at Cheltenham Town last night.

A Peter Leven penalty ten minutes from time gave United hope of salvaging something from the game, after sweet strikes from Darren Carter and Shaun Harrad had put the hosts in charge.

But the U’s were unable to find an equaliser and went down 2-1, their fourth successive npower League Two defeat.

Although it was another setback, Wilder, who blasted his players after Saturday’s defeat at Burton, was encouraged by the display.

“I have said to the players that I can accept that,” he said.

“I am disappointed with the result, but I don’t think we deserved to be beaten if I’m honest.

“We don’t accept losing lightly, but we will win more games than we lose if we play like that.

“I am sure there’s a win around the corner, that’s what we have got to believe.”

He added: “There’s things we can’t control that are going against us, but the heart and spirit is definitely there.

“If you have got that, you have got something to work from.”

One of the main positives was the return of Lee Cox from injury.

The midfielder had not featured since August 21 after picking up a groin injury, but made it through 90 minutes.

The on-loan Swindon man felt the U’s were unlucky to take nothing from the game.

He said: “I was quite surprised with how I lasted, but with the first game back, the adrenalin helps you through it.

“I think we definitely deserved something out of the game.

“We had a lot of chances, we fought hard, but it was just unfortunate again that two wonder goals have killed us.”