Skipper Phil Gilchrist has urged Oxford United's supporters to get behind the players to try and help the club on towards promotion.

A section of fans booed the players off at the end of their 1-0 Nationwide Conference defeat at Rushden last Saturday.

And while 'Gilly' acknowledged that the paying public always has the right to say what they like when they watch, he insists that no-one hurts more after a defeat than the players themselves.

"I can understand their reaction because we didn't play well, there's no hiding that," he told the Oxford Mail. "But we are trying our hardest.

"Supporters are entitled to their opinion, it's been a difficult few weeks for them with so many away games, which costs them a lot of money.

"Saturday's game wasn't very good, and we are very disappointed that we got beat, especially as it was a local derby, of sorts.

"It was the first time this season that we've been booed off at the final whistle.

"And when we went over to the fans to show them our appreciation, some booed us again, which I think surprised one or two players.

"We've got to remember where we are. It was only our second defeat in 22 games in the league and we are still top of the table.

"Nobody is hurting more than the players themselves, but I would just say to the fans that they can be a big help to us, and indeed, in certain away games this year, they have pulled us out of the mire.

"We're now in a 16-day break between Rushden and the next league game and we're determined to get back to where we were by Boxing Day.

"There will be a big crowd and a fantastic atmosphere at that match and it's important that we all pull together to get another vital three points."

And Gilchrist can't wait to experience some home comforts again.

"One thing we haven't had lately are many home games," he said.

"I missed the Tamworth game, so I don't think I've played at home for two months, and playing there is a big plus: the pitch, the support, everything.

"I think if we'd had a home game after the Stevenage match we might have been back on track with a win.

"I'm just asking fans to try to see it from the players' point of view. It's not a case of the players not trying, we just didn't get it right in the right places last Saturday.

He added: "The players' attitude to the club is different to the way it has been in the past.

"I can promise supporters that we want this club to win promotion, nobody has any other agenda, as might have been the case with things that have gone on in the past.

"Yes, maybe the fans were right to boo us at the end of the last match. But we're hurting because we're used to winning.

"If someone had offered us at the start of the season to be two points clear at the top at Christmas, we'd have snapped their hand off. You have to remember that, and make sure we don't panic."