Oxford might have won Boro draw, says Bloomfield

Oxford United boss Matt Bloomfield felt his side might have had more to show for their efforts after twice hitting the woodwork in their goalless draw at promotion-chasing Middlesbrough.

The U's followed up a 0-0 draw at leaders Coventry earlier this month with another spirited display to earn a share of the spoils against one of the division's best sides.

Bloomfield told BBC Radio Oxford: "I thought we were better today than at Coventry. It's similar, but different. I thought we were excellent first half, had the two best chances of the half.

"I'll be honest with you, at Coventry I was grateful for the point. Today, I was a bit disappointed that we haven't got ourselves ahead [by] one, maybe even two, in the game.

"I think Middlesbrough are as good as it gets in the league. They are brilliant, the way they move the ball, some of the players they have got are fantastic. They are going to have spells of chances and we had to maybe ride our luck at times.

"I'm actually thinking that was a different performance to Coventry because we imposed ourselves on the game today, especially in the first half.

"That's two good performances in a row and two good performances where we can go after more."

Oxford, who moved to within five points of safety following Saturday's draw at the Riverside, travel to Stoke on Tuesday.