ASSISTANT manager Mickey Lewis pointed to a lack of quality and cutting edge in the second half as Oxford United drew 1-1 with Macclesfield on Saturday.

The U’s were kept at bay by the visitors, who came to the Kassam Stadium having lost their previous eight games.

United dominated throughout, but fell behind when Michael Duberry headed past Ryan Clarke for a ninth-minute own goal.

But having drawn level when Oli Johnson scored just before half-time, Oxford were unable to find a winner.

And it left Lewis – who it was decided in the week would do the post-match press conference – very frustrated.

“We have got some really good players at the football club, but today some of them were not on top of their game in terms of the performance,” Lewis said.

“The manager has said in the changing room that the biggest thing was our lack of quality in the second half.”

United stay seventh in the npower League Two table despite the defeat, but missed the opportunity to close of those teams above who failed to win, and now find themselves only three points clear of Port Vale, who are eighth.

“We have dropped too many points at home this season,” Lewis added.

“Macclesfield got a fortunate lead, but it was a good goal from Oli to get us level at a really good time, and it just needed somebody in the second half to produce that moment of magic.

“But it went a bit flat and I think the second half is what you would call a bad day at the office.”