A FEW weeks ago, a stat doing the rounds said how Oxford United had scored more late goals than anyone in England over the last two seasons.

That came to mind when Luke McNally gave them hope with his 81st-minute strike at Portsmouth, but it did not feel like the U’s were about to complete another last-gasp comeback.

Whereas United have finished strongly several times in recent weeks, most spectacularly in the return fixture against Pompey, they did not seem to have the energy or creativity in the closing stages at Fratton Park.

Karl Robinson pointed to fatigue, and not just because it was the U’s ninth game in 32 days – Saturday’s tributes to Joey Beauchamp must have taken an emotional toll.

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They will have more time on the training ground after a congested run of fixtures ends against Burton Albion this weekend, giving them the chance to address a familiar failing.

United have conceded two goals or more in nine of their last 12 matches. They won four of those nine games, which shows their strength going forward.

But it also illustrates that you will lose more often than not if you ship goals at that rate.

Robinson has only named an unchanged defence once since United’s draw at Wigan Athletic on February 1, although the back three were not the reason for the goals last night.

Nathan Holland had to be stronger in the tackle in the build-up to Pompey’s equaliser, while Herbie Kane lost possession in a dangerous area before the home side’s second.

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For that goal, the U’s were far too open when they should have focused on seeing out the first half and Robinson admitted to being frustrated at the way the defence kept a high line, leaving George Hirst space to run in behind.

But you felt United were vulnerable on the counter-attack with no holding midfielder and this has got to be a concern when they play the division’s better teams in the run-in.

It also says a lot that McNally was closest to Hayden Carter for Pompey’s third, despite being deeper than almost any United player when the centre back received the ball.

Nine times out of ten that shot goes into the away end, but the visitors should not have given Carter the opportunity.

Fratton Park is never an easy place to go, however the U’s made Portsmouth look better than they are.

WATCH: Highlights of Oxford United's defeat to Portsmouth

United showed how good they are going forward with the incisive move that led to Marcus Browne’s goal and it did not take long for the home fans to grow frustrated.

But the U’s never really had control of the game and perhaps looked to slow it down too early, although maybe that is hindsight talking.

The good news is United are still in a very healthy position: with ten matches left they are on 62 points, which is more important than games in hand at this stage of the season.

Assuming somewhere in the mid-70s will be enough to finish in the top six, the U’s are still on track.

The big thing is addressing their defensive shortcomings before facing several promotion rivals in the final six weeks of the season – and then the play-offs, hopefully.