Michael Appleton rued Oxford United’s inability to kill the game off as Carlisle United hit back to win 2-1 at Brunton Park.

The visitors squandered several promising openings in the first half of Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two clash, before Danny Hylton opened the scoring in the 45th minute.

But United’s one-goal lead never looked safe after the restart, as a poor second-half display allowed Carlisle to gain the upper hand.

The hosts’ pressure paid off with two goals, the winner arriving in the 89th minute.

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Appleton, United’s head coach, said: “I suppose you could come in (at half-time) quite pleased having scored as late as we did, but I still think we missed an opportunity in the first half to be three or four goals to the good.

“We got into some fantastic areas and opened them up at times and our final decision and last pass let us down. Ultimately that’s cost us in the end.”

That failure to build a cushion meant Carlisle were always in the game, especially with the visitors unable to make the ball stick up front.

The U’s boss said: “They’ve always got an opportunity and when it’s like that the next goal is going to be crucial.

“They got themselves back into the game and I think if you’re going to defend as many long balls as we did going into the back four, at some point something is going to give.

“That’s why I expect more of my front players, especially in the final third.”

Even when Carlisle levelled, Appleton showed no intention of shutting up shop.

Striker James Roberts came off the bench to replace Danny Rose in an attacking change 12 minutes from time as United attempted to strike late and claim a third successive win.

Appleton admitted he would have not been satisfied with a draw, so was very unhappy to lose the game.

He said: “There was an opportunity to win it, that’s the reason why, there really was.

“There was a lot of space down the flanks and in behind them, as you saw for the goal in the first half.

“If I had come away with a point I wouldn’t have been happy. Obviously I’m very disappointed to come away with nothing.”

Carlisle manager Keith Curle said: “It was one of those games where it was never going to be good on the eye, but we stuck to our task and we got on the front foot very quickly in the second half.”

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