KARL Robinson thought Jack Stevens' late penalty save obscured the quality of Oxford United's performance against Charlton Athletic.

The U's goalkeeper flew to his left to tip Ronnie Schwartz's spot-kick over the bar in the third and final minute of stoppage-time after Alex Gorrin tripped Jayden Stockley.

It ensured the Sky Bet League One clash ended goalless as tenth-placed United closed the gap to the play-offs to five points - despite their five-game winless run.

Read the match report here

Anthony Forde's second-half effort that hit the post was the closest the U's came to scoring, although they only had three shots on target overall.

Nevertheless, head coach Robinson felt the penalty save skewed the picture.

He said: “I don’t want to take anything away from Jack, but it has almost spoilt the praise I was going to give the outfield players for asking constant questions.

"I thought we looked bright and energetic and for as much that we didn’t work the goalkeeper, we got in good areas.

"Our shots on target will be low, but they made three or four fantastic blocks."

United's squad was down to the bare bones with six players out injured and Jamie Hanson and Forde both suffered knocks in the second half.

The right back came off with what the U's hope was cramp in his hamstring, while his teammate rolled his ankle late on - although that is not thought to be serious.

But United produced a battling performance on a day they mourned the loss of ex-player and manager Micky Lewis, who died yesterday.

Robinson felt the display was a fitting tribute to the U's legend, who was affectionately known as 'Mad Dog'.

He said: “I spoke to the players before the game about what this football club is historically loved by the fans for.

“One thing about us is we care.

“And I think everything today epitomises everything we believed in and what Micky believed in.”