JAMES McArthur admitted Oxford United made life difficult for Crystal Palace in their pre-season friendly last night.

The Scotland international scored the winner at Selhurst Park as the Premier League side won 2-1 in their first warm-up game of the summer.

But Palace had to come from behind, having trailed at half-time to Cameron Brannagan's strike.

And McArthur told Palace TV it had not been easy against United.

"They're always a good footballing side and they make it hard for you," he said.

"They caused us a wee bit of problems in the first half, but in the second half we got to grips with it and started to dominate."

He added: "It was a good test for us.

"It was obviously quite rusty at times and we need to try to get that sharpness back, but that's why we have these games."

Brannagan started the flowing move which saw United take the lead, with Matty Taylor nodding down Sam Long's cross into his path.

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It certainly caught the eye of Palace boss Roy Hodgson.

He said: "I didn’t think we started brilliantly and they scored an excellent goal, which doesn't help.

"I don’t think we were under the cosh at all, but they scored this fantastic goal so we were 1-0 down.

"When we did get back in the game we missed very clear chances, but luckily in the second half we at least took two of them."