OXFORD United were naive in the way they let a winning position slip to concede three poor goals, according to head coach Michael Appleton.

Danny Hylton put the home side in front inside two minutes, but having been in control, they allowed Luton Town to score twice in quick succession on the stroke of half-time.

Chey Dunkley appeared to have restored confidence by making it 2-2, only for the Hatters to bag the winner with another soft goal.

It all began with Benji Buchel’s slip which gifted the initial equaliser, although Appleton had cause to be frustrated by all of Luton’s goals.

“I think we showed a bit of naivety, probably with the youthfulness we have in the side at the minute,” the U’s head coach said. “We were almost cruising to half-time.

“A mistake has cost us and changed the game, but we still had plenty of time to do something about it.”

He added: “I think that’s when we’ve got to be a bit clever and say ‘let’s take our medicine, get to half-time and sort it out’.

“The third goal was probably the most frustrating of all. The ball has been in the air for a second, the lad controlled it and had an opportunity to pick his spot without any pressure.”

United’s supporters had heeded the club’s call for a strong turnout, but the near-9,000 crowd at the Kassam Stadium could hardly believe what they had seen.

While it made for an edgy atmosphere once Luton had scored, Appleton demanded the players handled the tension with automatic promotion on the line.

He said: “It’s part and parcel of the business end of the season and having something to play for.

“We’ve got to deal with that better.

“From my point of view I’m delighted to see so many people turn up, I hope it’s the same again next Saturday (at home to Hartlepool United).

“Hopefully we’ll get a better result.”

United were without wingers Alex MacDonald and Callum O’Dowda, who were both missing through illness.

The pair will be assessed today to see if they will be available for the trip to Newport County tomorrow.