KARL Robinson says Oxford United’s defence was not to blame for their defeat at Morecambe – but rued the lack of continuity in his back line.

The U’s lined-up in a 4-3-3 formation for the first time since mid-January in the 2-1 loss at the Mazuma Stadium.

It saw Robinson name another new combination at the back, with Ryan Williams and Ciaron Brown either side of Luke McNally and Sam Long.

United dominated against the relegation strugglers but paid the price for two soft goals in the first half as Aaron Wildig pounced on a second ball following a free-kick to beat Jack Stevens with a deflected shot.

WATCH: Highlights of last night's game

The winner followed ten minutes later, when Herbie Kane lost possession turning into trouble and Cole Stockton made it 2-1.

United looked nervous defensively during that spell but Robinson backed his players, while pointing to Elliott Moore’s absence through illness and Jordan Thorniley’s loan return to Blackpool in January.

And the U's head coach feels missing those players is a big reason for his side keeping just two clean sheets in 18 matches in 2022.

The U’s head coach said: “We lose Jordan Thorniley, we lose Elliott, we’ve lost Luke McNally in certain games this year.

“We’ve lost a bit of confidence in certain areas of the back four.

“The back four is fundamental stability to build on and clean sheets is what we all want.

“But we don’t have a back four to build on and that is the frustration.

“We’ve changed shape and that certainly wasn’t the problem. One goal was a set-play and one was a midfielder giving it away.

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“We can all look to pick bones, but we’re being so finicky with it that it’s becoming so silly.

“The players have done everything except for taking chances and their goalkeeper’s man of the match.

“That’s the simplicity of the game and I don’t think we have to look further than that.”

Robinson also revealed Luke McNally, who played 90 minutes at Morecambe, has been struggling with a patella tendon issue.

The centre back suffered a suspected broken nose during a second-half tussle with Stockton.

United hope to have Cameron Brannagan back for Saturday’s crunch clash against Sunderland after the midfielder missed the last two matches following a head injury in training.

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Robinson was pleased with his side’s performance in a different formation, but suggested he might change system when Moore returns.

The U’s head coach said: “Maybe when Elliott’s back we’ll go to a back three, because he offers a bit more comfort in there.

“We haven’t seen much of Sunderland yet, so we’ll have to wait and see.

“That looked like us, I don’t think you’ve seen that rotation since Sam Baldock got injured.”