MICHAEL Appleton was unimpressed with the performance of referee Darren Deadman – but said the official was not fully to blame for Oxford United’s defeat, writes MARK EDWARDS.

The U’s head coach saw his side lose their unbeaten Sky Bet League One home record with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of AFC Wimbledon yesterday.

However, the main talking point was the visitors’ second goal, three minutes before half-time.

Deadman let play carry on after a nasty-looking lunge from Wimbledon’s Dean Parrett on Wes Thomas.

When the ball ran free, Darius Charles curled home to make it 2-0.

“The referee has definitely played a part,” Appleton said.

“There are a lot of things that went against us, but he is not the sole reason we have lost the game.

“To concede the first goal how we did put us really on the back foot.

“We are disappointed in the performance in the first half – there were lots of silly little things we could have done better.”

Of the challenge on Thomas, Appleton added: “It’s a jump and a straight leg. I am told if that’s the case it’s a red card.

“Alex MacDonald got sent off on Tuesday for the same thing.

“It’s difficult to take, and the fact they scored from it, even more so.”

Appleton pointed to a scramble in the Wimbledon box during the second half when Phil Edwards saw a header cleared off the line and the rebound was fired over as a big moment.

“The key point today was when we were 3-1 down and we had that set-play that they kept out,” he said.

“There was definitely a lull in the game after that.

“It was very similar to their first goal, but Wimbledon seemed to have more desire to keep the ball out.”