Oxford United's poor run of results continued this afternoon as Derby County inflicted their 9th defeat in ten games.

Results are all that matter between now and the end of the season but even so, the scoreline was harsh on the U's who gave it their all, created chances, but once again came away with nothing.

An early Sam Long goal raised hopes, but Derby were ahead by half time through two Louis Sibley goals and seemed to seal the win when Long scored at the wrong end to make it 3-1. However, a 90th minute Kyle Joseph goal pulled United back into things in a pulsating finish which at least raises hopes.

United once again started strongly, Marcus Browne a constant threat down the left, and when the winger was upended for the fifth time in the opening 15 minutes, it led to the U’s taking the lead. It wasn't a beautiful goal from open play, it was just a meticulously weighted free kick from the influential James Henry, to which Long got up highest to head past keeper Joe Wildsmith to give the home side the perfect start.

With new boss Liam Manning watching from the stands, and Craig Short barking out orders against his former side, it was a terrific game to watch, but it is going to take time to iron out some all too familiar creases and within nine minutes United’s lead had slipped away. This time it was a neat goal as the Rams raided down their left and Conor Hourihane slid in a cross to the near post which Sibley flicked home to level at 1-1.

Henry and O’Donkor had good chances, one saved, the other inches wide. Long was unfortunate to see another goalbound effort blocked for a corner, and with Eastwood making an excellent save from Eiran Cashin at the other end there was plenty to keep the crowd of over 9,000 entertained.

Sadly, it was the visitors who finished off the next chance. A hotly contested free kick was cleared at first but bobbled as far as Sibley, who kept his composure to loft the ball into the top right corner with Eastwood helpless.

Perhaps more worrying than the half time scoreline was the sight of Henry, United’s best player until that point, hobbling off in clear discomfort just before the break to give Oisin Smyth his first league appearance. The powerful Smyth did well, but United were not quite the same force without Henry's scheming.

With the ref booed off at half time, rather than anyone else, there was a far more positive atmosphere around the ground than in recent weeks and the fans got behind the U’s as they tried to retrieve the situation. Smyth burst clear but couldn't blast past Wildsmith, O'Donkor stabbed goalwards only for a defender to clear off the line, and United were very much on top. And then Derby killed the game.

Having been penned back, the Rams burst clear and Jake Rooney's perfect cross was met by the head of Long, under pressure from James Collins, and it was 1-3 and apparently no way back.

To their huge credit given the last few weeks, United somehow kept going. Sub Tyler Goodrham went close with a long-range effort that Wildsmith touched round the post and they once again got on the front foot, with Joseph's late blast creating a thrilling four minutes of added time.

Not quite to be this time, but there are clearly good things for Liam Manning to work with: good people, good players and fantastic fans. His first task on Monday morning will be to pull those things together and start to turn those elements into results. That's the Long and the Short of it...

Att: 9,706

Away: 1,479

Polythene UK Fifty/50 winning number 74172 wins £1103.50

Report by Chris Williams, pictures Steve Daniels, Steve Edmunds, Darrell Fisher and Rex Shutterstock, stats by OPTA