KARL Robinson rued slack finishing from his Oxford United side in the first half, and a second 45 minutes which saw Ipswich Town take control.

Bersant Celina’s goal on the counter-attack looked to have got Ipswich a precious three points in their hunt for a play-off place, however Luke McNally grabbed a point for the U’s with a last minute header from Herbie Kane’s corner.

Gavin Whyte was particularly culpable in the first half, missing three chances to open the scoring.

Robinson said: “The first half, we missed two one-on-ones, we had Gavin’s volley from 10 yards out, Willo’s [Ryan Williams] shot from six yards – four what I would class as good opportunities to score.

“Then all of a sudden second half, they were brilliant and were all over us.

“They caused us so many problems and we couldn’t find an answer tactically, and we panicked a little bit and were edgy, which is completely not like us.

“We keep them eight points away from us, which is big with seven games to go.”

McNally rescued the U’s though when he powered in a header to earn what could be an invaluable point come the end of the season.

“It wasn’t great but we fought like anything, we’re the leading goalscorers in the country in the last 10 minutes of games so that’s a tremendous never say die attitude, and that’s what we had to rely on today,” said Robinson.

“We know we were way below par in the second half, the opposition were above par but by hook or by crook, we managed to nick a point, which is incredibly pleasing.

“I said to Shorty [Craig Short] and the lads, if we’re here for the next three days, we’re not going to score.

“Then the big man, the big colossus – he found a way to nick a goal.

“We’re very good at coming from behind and scoring late goals.”

Robinson added: “In the second half, we were miles off doing the right thing and miles off being controlled in our play.

“We reverted to putting things long early on and not sticking to our principles.

“The first half, we didn’t give them any second to turn and play through us.”