Oxford United may have failed to mount a challenge for promotion this season, but they are top of one league - for the number of bookings.

And it's something manager Darren Patterson says needs to be addressed.

While the U's lie 25 points off leaders Aldershot in the Blue Square Premier, and with no realistic hope of making the play-offs, they currently top the yellow card count with 59 from their 32 league games.

That's 2 times as many as Nigel Clough's Burton Albion, who are the best-behaved team in the Conference with just 24 yellow cards.

Halifax have the worst record when it comes to red cards with seven dismissals this season.

Forest Green, who United meet in their next fixture, at the New Lawn on Saturday, March 1, are the only club not to have had any player sent off this campaign.

Patterson said: "This list was shown to me last week and it's something that concerns me and we need to improve.

"I felt there's actually been a lack of tackling from us in some games, though not in the last four or five where it's been good. So to have so many cards is down to a mixture of indiscipline from us, and poor refereeing.

"Nowadays you've got to be so careful with the way you tackle, and it's something we've discussed this week.

"You see a lot more bookings for players diving in, and it's something you can't do, unless you make 100 per cent sure you win the ball.

"Luke Foster has been good at that, but in general, you simply can't go diving in."

United have improved in the last fortnight with no-one booked in the 3-0 win over Histon, and only Adam Murray yellow-carded in the 1-0 victory over Droylsden.

"That was just a silly booking on my part," admitted Murray, who has now been cautioned seven times this season, though most came at his former club Macclesfield.