Chris Wilder praised his Oxford United team for adapting to some ‘interesting’ conditions in their 1-1 draw with Seacoast United Phantoms on Thursday night.

Alfie Potter was on target as United’s first match on their tour of America ended with honours even.

But as if playing an artificial surface, with American Football posts inches behind the soccer goals wasn’t different enough, the pitch was covered in markings for gridiron.

The Bill Ball Stadium groundstaff had tried to indicate the correct lines with different colours, but Wilder admitted it wasn’t easy.

“The surface was new to us, but the players adapted well and just had to get on with it,” he said.

“I was more concerned with the thousand lines on the pitch which were interesting.

“It was a bit confusing, but the whole match was a very positive exercise for us and a great work-out.

“We did well in spells, we still have lots to work on, but I was pleased with the way we went about things in conditions we are not used to.”

He added: “A lot of things pleased me, and others didn’t so much.

“But that’s what pre-season is about – some players need to raise their standards a bit, but they know that.”

Potter put the U’s ahead in the fourth minute, but a 20th-minute penalty, awarded after new signing Tony Capaldi tripped Steven Palumbo in the area, saw Palumbo slot the spot-kick past triallist keeper Chris Konopka.

And although they had chances to win the game, the U’s, who wore black armbands as a tribute to former kitman Ken Ridley who died 24 hours earlier, were forced to settle for a draw.

Watched by around 1,000 American fans and a scattering of U's supporters who had made the long trip, Potter latched onto a Simon Heslop pass to slot home the opener.

United, who were missing Peter Leven, Deane Smalley, Ryan James, Paul McLaren and Tom Craddock through injury, almost won the game after half-time when Jon-Paul Pittman hit the bar.

Oxford Utd: Konopka, Whing (Batt 54), Duberry, Wright (capt), Capaldi, Payne, Heslop, Hall, Pittman, Potter (Worley 83), Constable.