KARL Robinson cut a frustrated figure after Oxford United’s disappointing start to the season continued with a home defeat to Lincoln City.

The Imps claimed a 2-1 win at the Kassam Stadium, with Cameron Brannagan’s second-half penalty only a consolation after Tom Hopper and Anthony Scully scored before the break.

United had far more possession than their opponents and 15 shots to five, but they were unable to produce a third successive late show at Grenoble Road.

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And Robinson rued another frustrating 90 minutes as his side suffered their third defeat in four Sky Bet League One matches.

The U’s head coach said: “In the first half we were all over them, it was one little error that leads to a cross.

“Defensively that was wrong and we’ve spoken about that.

“The second one is a mix-up over a ball, it drops to him and it’s a good finish.

“We had chance after chance and just didn’t take them.

“The players gave everything and I can’t ask anymore.

“I understand criticism will follow because we should have got more than what we did and results haven’t been great.”

Hopper was left unmarked to head Lincoln into a 21st-minute lead, before Scully profited from Sam Long’s mistake to make it 2-0 in stoppage-time.

Brannagan halved the deficit from the penalty spot but the U’s could not find an equaliser on a night they lost Marcus Browne to a knee injury.

United looked more likely to score than they did at Bristol Rovers on Saturday and Robinson insists they are not far away from finding a winning formula.

"We're close, but the injuries don't help," he said.

“We’re looking like a good team and we’re just not getting that bit of luck."

United are yet to find out the full extent of Browne's injury, but Robinson suspects he could need to bring in reinforcements with three wingers in the treatment room.

“I think we’re going to have to,” he said.

“Right now I think it’s a case of having more clarity.

“We’ll assess the situation and make a decision from there.”