KARL Robinson felt Oxford United did not get the rub of the green in their 1-0 defeat at promotion rivals Plymouth Argyle.

Joe Edwards’ 56th-minute goal sealed victory for the hosts as the U’s, who were on top before the break, dropped out of the Sky Bet League One play-off places.

Billy Bodin and Gavin Whyte drew excellent saves from Argyle goalkeeper Mike Cooper, but the Northern Ireland international was at the centre of a controversial moment just after the half-hour mark.

Read the match report here

The forward ran onto Mark Sykes’ through ball and was flagged offside, despite replays suggesting otherwise.

Whyte was clattered by Plymouth wing-back Ryan Law and referee Ollie Yates initially pointed to the penalty spot, only to change his mind when he saw the linesman’s flag.

Robinson claimed it was not the only decision given against United on that flank as he rued a frustrating defeat.

United’s head coach said: “He made decisions that questioned in my belief in neutral decision-making.

“There was a throw-in that the whole ground could see that he still tried to give the other way. They nearly scored from the counter-attack from that.

“The penalty is onside by so much, the lad’s nowhere near and he’s smashed him – it’s a sending-off and a penalty.”

Robinson added: “I’m a little bit stuck for words because I have to be careful.

“My players need to start diving more, because when you touch certain people and they go down the referee falls for it.

“A lot of things that went on really shocked me.

“It’s a hard job, but don’t the rules say that you’ve got to give the benefit of the doubt to the striker?

“Don’t get it wrong (in a way) that leads to a defensive decision. That was the bit that infuriated me.”

It is a big result for fourth-placed Argyle, who move to 77 points with five games left of the season.

The U's, meanwhile, are out of the top six by a point, thanks to Sunderland’s last-minute winner against Gillingham.

Argyle’s players and fans celebrated victory wildly and Robinson said he and his players had taken note. 

United's boss added: “We just had the dressing room door open to listen to their celebrations.

“We’ll be seeing these again, it’s no problem with me.

“We turn the music off when we’re up against teams that we’re playing against, because you don’t want to rile people. This might be a Wembley (play-off) game."

He added: “It’s about my players, I only care about my club.

“Sometimes you need to respect other teams a little bit more because we’re a good team, with generally good morals.

“It’s in the filing cabinet this, and I’m sure it’ll be coming out sooner rather than later.”