Darren Patterson is hoping to bring in at least two new players by the weekend to give confid- ence-lacking Oxford United a boost.

The U's caretaker-boss admits the team badly needs a shot in the arm after another cruel blow on Saturday when they fell to a last-minute goal against Rochdale for the second week running.

This time it was an unfortunate own goal from Chris Tardif as Tony Gallimore's 20-yard drive in the 89th minute smashed against a post and then hit the goalkeeper on the back of his shoulder before trickling over the line.

It was United's eighth defeat in nine matches and hardly the result Patterson was looking for in his first match since taking temporary charge following the removal of Graham Rix.

Patterson, though, was realistic to admit that, though the goal came late in the game, Oxford had been pretty dire in the first half.

And he was stunned to see just how drained of confidence the players were in a match situation, because in training they have been pretty chirpy.

"I have to admit, I was shocked at the lack of confidence out there. The players were very committed and worked hard, I've got no qualms about that.

"But some things did surprise me. I thought there was going to be a lot of nervous tension, but in the first half the way we played was really poor.

"We just didn't have enough people willing to get on the ball.

"And just booting the ball forward from the back doesn't get you anywhere.

"If you kick the ball long, it's got to be done well. We did it better in the second half, not brilliantly, but better.

"I'm hurting," he admitted straight after the game.

"I thought we'd done enough for a draw and I would have taken a point today because it would at least have been a building block.

"The late goal was cruel, but you've got to be mentally brave in this game."

Patterson has just one more match, at Chester this Saturday, before chairman Firoz Kassam returns from Australia to decide who should take over as Rix's long-term successor.

"I will possibly, and hopefully, be making a couple of signings this week," added Patterson.

"Between us, we've watched about 15 games looking at different players in the last few days and we're due to watch a few more this week.

"A couple of new faces would liven us up and help the squad."

David Oldfield assisted Patterson and took the warm-up.