Graham Rix knows that Oxford United must beat Boston at the Kassam Stadium on Friday if the players are to stay upbeat about their chances of promotion.

Graham RixTuesday's 3-1 defeat at Mansfield saw the U's slip to seventh place in the Division 3 table - their lowest position so far this season - and leaves Rix (pictured) without a win in his first three games.

While heartened about the way his team are going about their matches, Rix is under no illusions that his side badly need a win to kick-start their season.

With just six games remaining, United look like needing around eight more points to seal a place in the play-offs, but would need to win at least four games if they are to harbour any hopes of the third automatic promotion place.

"I feel sorry for the lads, because they have had a lot to contend with recently," Rix said.

"They have a lot on their minds at the moment and obviously every game they play now is getting bigger and bigger the longer they go without a win.

"Friday is a great chance for us to put things right."

Read more on the U's on This is United