OXFORD United put in arguably their worst performance of the season yesterday, against one of the best sides they have faced so far, slipping to a 3-0 loss at Peterborough United.

The opening exchanges lacked goalmouth action, as both sides sussed each other out, however once the Posh took the lead with 24 minutes on the clock, only one team looked likely to take all three points.

So, where did it go wrong for Des Buckingham’s men?

The goals

Defensively, the U’s were a mess at times, with mistakes evident in the lead-up to all three goals.

The Posh took the lead when Archie Collins wasn’t effectively closed down and had a crack from distance.

James Beadle did well to parry the effort, however when Harrison Burrows and Hector Kyprianou pounced on the loose ball, no United defender tracked either run and the Posh players were able to combine and give their side the lead.

READ ALSO: Our player ratings as Oxford United slump to defeat at the Posh

There was however another major mistake in the build-up to the goal, when Elliott Moore had the ball pinched from him by Ricky-Jade Jones inside Posh territory.

The counter-attack hurt the U’s, who never seemed to get back into shape and adjust accordingly.

More questionable defending was on display for the second goal, with Collins allowed to collect the ball from deep and deliver a pass over the top for Ephron Mason-Clark, who dinked the ball through for Jones.

The striker had Jordan Thorniley for company, but the U’s defender completely switched off, and allowed Jones to run in one-on-one against Beadle, who had too much ground to make up if he was to close down the centre forward.

The third goal, two minutes into stoppage time, saw nobody track the run of substitute Ryan De Havilland, who was unmarked on the penalty spot to sweep home.

Oxford Mail:

General play

United’s defensive frailties were not limited to just the goals they conceded though.

Fin Stevens was given a torrid time by the brilliant Mason-Clark, while Posh left back Burrows was a menace with his overlapping runs.

During the first half, Peterborough used their left-hand side to cause all sorts of problems, with Stevens receiving little cover from Stan Mills in front of him.

Meanwhile, Moore and Thorniley struggled with the pace and power of Jones, who at one point in the first half, brushed past both of them with ease, before being denied by Beadle.

The midfield battle was prior to the game, an intriguing one. However, Cameron Brannagan and Marcus McGuane were outclassed by Collins and Kyprianou, who formed a fantastic partnership in the middle of the park.

Even putting aside the defensive woes for the U’s, there was very little to get excited about in the final third.

The introduction of Josh Murphy for Mills at half-time changed that a bit, as Murphy handed United a threat in the second half with his speed and direct running at right back Peter Kioso.

It was an afternoon to forget for the U’s faithful, however it must be one that the players and staff are able to learn from.

Darren Ferguson’s Posh side will undoubtedly be promotion challengers this season, and if Buckingham’s team are to join them in the race, they’ll need to show a vast improvement when they come up against the likes of Peterborough later in the season.