Oxford United are left still looking for their first league win of the season after a frustrating afternoon at the Kassam Stadium.

They only really played how they can in the second half, and were lucky the Lancashire side hadn't been one or two goals in front by then.

It was much better after the break, and James Constable went close.

But John coleman's side kept up their record of not having conceded a goal so far in League Two this campaign.

Accrington had much the better of the first half an hour and probably should have gone in front.

United found it hard to cope with the visitors' 4-2-3-1 formation, getting outnumbered at times in the centre of the pitch.

Ray Putterill hit a volley from the edge of the area on 12 minutes that Ryan Clarke turned around his post, and four minutes later the lively Sean McConville struck a 25-yard drive that United's keeper beat away.

The U's were finding it difficult finding space to put passes together, and when they did get an opportunity midway through the first half, it came after Stanley gave the ball away to Constable. He spread it left, and Asa Hall met Anthony Tonkin's cross with a far-post header that keeper Ian Dunbavin reached up to save.

The Reds, beaten 3-2 by Newcastle in the Carling Cup on Wednesday night, looked much the more likely to score, and McConville showed good footwork to cut in pas two players from the left, only to fire his shot high over the bar.

Some United fans were getting frustrated that the home sidelooked not as sharp as their opponents. When Jack Midson found Matt Green with a pass on the edge of the box, Green's poor touch gave possession away.

Chris Wilder's team were not that far away, though, at one right-wing corner. Both Harry Worley and Hall almost got their heads to Simon Heslop's flag-kick six yards out, and it bounced off defender Johnny Bateson and into the arms of grateful keeper Dunbavin.

Harry Worley was booked for a foul that stopped an Accrington attack, and Matt Green also picked up a yellow card before half-time for what Reds players felt was an elbow when he went up for a challenge. Fortunately for Green, the ref felt there was no malice in it, or the punishment would have been worse.

United began the second half with much more urgency and started to move the ball quicker.

And five minutes after the break came their best chance so far as James Constable met Jack Midson's low right-wing cross at the near post but could only steer his effort into the side-netting.

Soon after, Constable connected well on the volley from Midson's head back, after Ben Purkiss centred from the right following a fine move, but he again couldn't beat the keeper.

United made a double substitution, bringing on both Alfie Potter and Mitchell Cole, but they still couldn't break through.

Clarke had to punch away a deep cross at full stretch, and it was Accrington who finished the game strongly.

Oxford Utd: Clarke; Purkiss, Worley, Wright, Tonkin; Heslop, Bulman Baker 67), Hall; Green (Cole 56), Constable, Midson (Potter 56). Subs not used: Eastwood, Creighton, Clist, Deering. Booked: Worley, Green.

Att: 6428 (123 from Accrington)