MICHAEL Appleton was critical of Oxford United’s senior players as their winless start to the league season stretched to seven games with a 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Exeter City.

The visitors fell behind inside four minutes to a Graham Cummins penalty, before hitting back to level through Callum O’Dowda’s first United goal.

Appleton was pleased to take a point from a performance which he described as the worst of the season.

The U’s boss felt the key lay with the way some of his more experienced players began the game.

He said: “I haven’t got an issue with the character of the team.

“They’ve had to come from behind in pretty much every game we’ve played this season.

“I just didn’t think our senior players especially were on the front foot as much as Exeter were in the first half.

“That’s just how football is. A lot of the time it’s not what happens with your feet, it’s what’s going on between the eyes.

“With the position we are (in) and obviously not winning games does put a little bit of doubt into people’s minds, but you’ve got to be strong enough to ride that and brave enough to do the right things.”

O’Dowda was given his first start of the season after impressing as a substitute in the 1-1 draw at Southend United a week earlier.

  • Exeter v Oxford United highlights

Appleton was encouraged by the young winger’s display, capped by the equaliser.

He said: “Callum was certainly one of the brighter sparks in the performance.

“Especially in the first half we got the ball out to him and he wanted to beat the full back, which is what we want.

“He did ever so well getting in at the back stick to get his goal.”

Like United, Exeter also went into the game without a league win to their name.

While the draw was not what either wanted, City boss Paul Tisdale thinks the U’s left happier.

He said: “I think we did enough to win it and I’m sure they’re delighted with a point.”

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