A DEPLETED Oxford United were unable to stay the course against Hull City, admitted Karl Robinson.

The U’s were on top in the opening exchanges and continued to create chances after Keane Lewis-Potter put the Sky Bet League One leaders ahead 22 minutes in.

But United faded in the second half and the same player doubled the hosts’ lead in the latter stages.

Verdict: Oxford United's poor form against top teams continues

The visitors still have James Henry, Sam Long, Marcus McGuane, Sam Winnall and John Mousinho out injured, while Elliot Lee started despite missing the last two matches with a knee problem.

And Robinson admitted that was always going to take its toll against the division’s highest scorers, who have now won five games in a row.

The U’s head coach said: “They’re big losses, and in some games we can carry this injury list.

“I don’t think we can carry it in this game.

“We’re a lot closer to Hull if we come here with our full squad.

“Against the big boys at the top of the league, you have to have your players firing and they have to be fit.

“Unfortunately we’re coming to these places and we’re carrying too big an injury list to make a dent in the opposition in the last third of the match.”

Player ratings: What we thought of United at Hull

United’s treatment room began to fill up when Winnall and Henry suffered injuries against MK Dons on February 27.

Lee and Long were forced off in the stalemate with Peterborough United three days later, but the U’s still managed to string together a

four-game unbeaten run before the Hull defeat.

Robinson said: “I can’t question my players' attitude, they give me everything every single day.

“It was probably that step too far in that final 30 minutes.”