Mark Wright has admitted for the first time that he is genuinely concerned about the future of Oxford United.

After seeing his side fall to a 1-0 defeat at Darlington on Saturday, United's boss said several issues need addressing now - and should have been addressed five or six games ago to stop their alarming slide down the Division 3 table.

Wright's men have won just once in ten matches, and their latest defeat sees them just three points and three clubs off the bottom of the Football League.

Wright pointed to the lack of a replacement for injured striker Andy Scott as the key factor, and says that if players lose confidence, the club will have serious problems.

"A little while ago, we tried to get that missing link when Andy Scott was out. But if Scott had played today, we would have scored goals," Wright said after the narrow defeat.

"I tried to sort it out five or six games ago by bringing someone in, but if some of the players lose their confidence, it becomes a big problem for Oxford United.

"I don't think anyone should let that happen."

"If players start doubting themselves, this club has a problem and I certainly don't wish to get to that stage. So I think it needs addressing now - and should have been addressed a little while ago.

"That's not saying anything bad about anybody. Maybe I should have been a little more forceful with the chairman - whether he would have taken it or not is another thing - but we need to get a run of three or four games where we're winning."

A goal from supersub Brian Healy sent Wright's side spinning to defeat, after they had been denied by some superb saves from Darlington keeper Andy Collett.

"They can't keep playing so well and getting beaten 1-0," Wright added.

"It's very disappointing, but we all live and die by our results."

HAVING now completed his three-match suspension, centre back Wayne Hatswell played for United Reserves in their Avon Combination game at Peterborough today. Also in the side were Phil Gray, Sam Ricketts and Chris Hackett.

United Res: Knight, Cruse, Ricketts, Hatswell, Lovegrove, King, Hackett, McIntosh, Gray, Folland, Holder. Subs: Ford, Alexis, Jones, Sylla, Wilson.

THE FA Cup will not now be on display at The Kassam Stadium tonight.

Sponsors AXA are reported to have double-booked displays of the famous trophy.

United hope to run the photo-shoot and stadium tours at a later date and apologised to fans.