Josh Payne suffered an ankle injury as Oxford United Reserves went down to a 3-0 defeat against Ipswich at Loop Meadow Stadium in Wednesday night's Totesport.Com Combination East Division fixture.

Payne limped off 15 minutes into the game following a bad challenge from Ipswich defender Luke Hyam, who was booked.

A double from Ronan Murray and a Reggie Thompson-Lambe strike sealed victory for Ipswich, all the goals coming in the first half.

The closest the U’s came to scoring in the first half was a shot from Alfie Potter that was saved by Ipswich keeper Cody Cropper.

The U’s improved after the break, with Daniel West and Laurence Gaughan going close.

United assistant manager Mickey Lewis said Payne’s injury was not thought to be serious, though it will be looked at this morning by U’s physio Jon Brown.

“I thought Josh was doing well and we missed him when he came off,” said Lewis. “We will assess him in the morning, so he’s got to be a doubt for Saturday’s squad.”

He added: “I thought we were poor in the first half and they were the better side.

“The first-half performance was not acceptable and I think the players know that. In the second half, we were much more competitive.

“I thought Jack Midson played well and Jimmy Sangare did well in defence.”

Oxford Utd: Eastwood, Gaughan, Kinniburgh, Payne (McDonagh 16), Hinchliffe, Sangare, Potter, Heslop, Midson (Marsh 60), West, Woodley. Subs not used: Morris, Alderman, Crocombe.

Attendance: 123.