KARL Robinson says Oxford United are not getting the rub of the green as they were held by Morecambe at the Kassam Stadium.

The U’s went behind to Jensen Weir’s strike early in the second half, only for Kyle Joseph to equalise with his first goal for the club eight minutes later.

United had plenty of time to find a winner and ended the game with 27 shots to Morecambe’s three, but they were forced to share the spoils.

Read the match report here

Young striker Slavi Spasov saw a stoppage-time effort deflected past the post as the U’s stayed 19th in Sky Bet League One with four points from their first five matches.

Robinson felt that late chance, and United’s busy treatment room, showed his side are not getting much luck in the early weeks of the season.

The U’s head coach said: “For our performance it was two (points) dropped, but with the lack of luck that we’re having it’s one gained.

“Slavi’s one hits his toe and goes the other side of the post, we had 27 shots and ten on target – they had one on target and it goes in.

“You just have to run with this at this moment in time.

“These are seven massive players (injured). We’re having a run of form where everything seems to be going against us.

“I’ve got to stick by my players and make sure they stay positive.”

He added: “I’m really pleased with certain aspects of the game, I thought we looked in complete control.

“Even in the first half there was nothing that was challenging us.

“People know that we’re in a difficult moment and their job is to stop the momentum.

“We’re giving them that by missing chances.”

Robinson switched formations to a 4-4-2 diamond as Joseph partnered Matty Taylor up front in his first United start.

The Swansea City loanee marked the occasion by opening his account for the U’s, stabbing home from close range after Taylor headed a corner across goal.

“You knew how long I’d been chasing him for and he had a wonderful first start,” Robinson said.

“I’ve wanted him for two years because he runs around, he’s a nuisance and he’s a great young man with tremendous desire.”

Elliott Moore missed the game with a thigh injury and there was further concern late on as James Henry was substituted with a tight hamstring, while Marcus McGuane was also forced off.

On the latter, Robinson said: “He felt something go in the bottom of his hamstring. We hope it’s cramp, which would be a positive.

“The young man’s done so much running and given me everything he’s possibly got.”

Robinson also explained his decision not to include James Golding among the substitutes in favour of club captain John Mousinho, despite the 18-year-old joining the pre-match warm-up.

He said: “We felt at this moment of time we’ve got a number of young lads on the bench. John Mousinho could be a sense of calmness if we needed that.

“We felt it was more about protection than anything else.”