DWIGHT Tiendalli rued Oxford United’s defensive dozing which proved so costly in their 2-0 defeat at Fleetwood Town.

The visitors were the better side in the first half, but failed to score and had to defend well after the break.

A goalless draw was on the cards and would have extended United’s unbeaten run to six games in Sky Bet League One.

But in the 88th minute the U’s went to sleep at a corner, which allowed Bobby Grant time and space to break the deadlock.

It was the key moment in a result sealed by a Josh Ruffels own goal in the final seconds.

Tiendalli was frustrated to see hard work go down the drain.

He said: “It’s really disappointing. I think in the first half we controlled the game, without creating so many chances.

“We had a lot of possession and in the second half we defended very strongly and then at the end a stupid set-piece is against (us) and then it’s game over.”

He added: “We fought as a team and I think the last four or five games we did the same.

“You win sometimes, you lose sometimes but the most important thing is you work 100 per cent. I saw a group here that was doing that.”

United had been proud of a defensive record which had seen them negotiate their way through the opening third of the league campaign without conceding from a set-piece.

Tiendalli said: “I think we have to be really concentrated for 90 minutes and this is the first time we’ve conceded from a set-piece.

“It’s one minute, you switch off and it’s – bang, goal.”

A calf injury to left back Ricardinho gave Tiendalli his first chance to play in two months, having recovered from a hamstring injury.

The 32-year-old took satisfaction from completing a first full game in the league for the U’s, even if it was not in his more favoured role at right back.

He said: “It’s very good for me to get my first 90 minutes.

“It’s always going to be tough when you don’t play for so long and you come into a game.

“Especially in the second half where there is space and you’re up and down.

“I need these kind of games, it’s good for me. Hopefully I’ll get more fitness going forward.”