JOHN Lundstram felt Adam Smith’s penalty save was the key moment in Oxford United’s 1-0 defeat at Sixfields.

Sam Hoskins headed Northampton Town in front midway through the first half, but on the stroke of half-time the U’s were thrown a golden opportunity.

Jason Taylor was sent off for a clash with Callum O’Dowda in the box, only for Danny Hylton’s spot-kick to be saved by Smith.

It preserved Northampton’s lead, which they protected after the break by getting men behind the ball.

Lundstram, who was making his first league start for the U’s, thought the game would have turned dramatically if the penalty had been converted.

He said: “It would have been a completely different game.

“They would have had to come out in the second half and try to catch us a bit more, which would have opened the game up.

“I believe we would have won it comfortably.”

Lundstram saw plenty of the ball in the second half as United tried to prise apart a well-drilled Northampton defensive line.

The midfielder explained the difficulties he and Danny Rose faced in central areas.

He said: “You get it in the middle of the field and because they are so compact sometimes the only ball is out wide.

“When they get it out wide the lads cross it and then it’s a 50/50 ball once you put it in the box.

“Effectively it is harder (to play against ten men) because they are sitting in.”

He added: “It’s just so frustrating to come up against a side like that and for them to sit in for 60 or 70 minutes of the game.

“Everyone, not just the manager but the players and the staff, are so disappointed and frustrated by it.”