OXFORD United must be more ruthless in front of goal to make the most of their chances, according to first-team coach Andy Melville.

The U’s created a host of opportunities against Seacoast United Phantoms on Friday night, but finished with a 1-1 draw.

The hosts’ goalkeeper Colin O’Donnell was in terrific form, making half a dozen smart stops, while United had three efforts cleared off the line.

It meant Tony Capaldi’s deflected free kick in the 15th minute was all United had to show for their dominance.

The game could easily have been well won before an error from Jake Wright allowed Dylan George to bag an equaliser late on.

Melville felt overall there were lots of positives, but admitted the finishing needed to improve.

He said: “I thought the lads showed a good attitude and applied themselves really well.

“We created a lot of chances around the box and just didn’t punish them, we weren’t lethal enough.

“Sometimes people need to maybe take a gamble to get in there and be a bit more ruthless.”

United also struggled to convert their chances last season, but Melville does not believe it is cause for concern.

He said: “All they’ve got to do is be positive because we know they’ve got a lot of character.

“I think it’s going to come, people are still getting in good areas.

“It’s all good play, it’s just that final bit which is the hardest thing in football – it’s easy for people to say it, but we’ve got a lot of goalscorers in the squad.

“Riggy (Sean Rigg), Tommy (Craddock), Deano (Deane Smalley) and Beano (James Constable ) have all scored goals at this level, there are no doubts about them.”