KARL Robinson learnt a lot from Oxford United’s season-ending draw with Doncaster Rovers.

The U’s were held 1-1 at the Kassam Stadium on the day the visitors’ relegation from Sky Bet League One was confirmed, as Josh Martin cancelled out Billy Bodin’s first-half opener.

Robinson made four changes and switched to 3-4-1-2 as he began preparations for next season, with 17-year-old centre back James Golding handed a full debut and Marcus Browne making his first home start since returning in January.

Read the match report here

Meanwhile, United’s loanees dropped to the bench and Mark Sykes, who is out of contract this summer, was left out of the squad.

The U’s never hit top gear against the League One strugglers, but Robinson felt it was a useful exercise.

United’s head coach said: “It’s almost the perfect afternoon for me, answering so many questions and that’s exactly what today was all about.

“This was almost like a pre-season game of understanding where people are at. I’m really pleased with so many aspects of that.

"I'm really happy with large parts of the shape today.

"The fluidity was there and that was important."

Bodin was the only starter not currently contracted to United next season, although player and club have made it clear they want his stay extended.

The forward bundled home midway through the first half, but the standout display arguably came from Golding.

The defender looked confident throughout and had a late volley cleared off the line, with his only real mistake a miscued clearance that almost landed in his own goal.

Golding has already won Pitching In Southern League Premier Central with Banbury United this season and was named United’s young player of the year last weekend.

And Robinson was full of praise for the youngster.

He said: “He was exceptional, he’s a good young man.

“The difference between him and other kids in the past is he really wants it as well.

“Going on loan was important for him at the level he went to.

“There’s an awful lot of stuff I’m really positive about.

“That might seem a bit crazy after not a great performance.”