Oxford United’s Mickey Lewis says there remains real belief in the camp that they can still reach the play-offs.

The U’s assistant manager insists that while last week was a major setback, the current side are capable of beating any team in npower League Two.

And even though they have lost their last three matches, they are equally capable of winning the next three to put themselves right back in contention, starting with Saturday’s tricky test at Port Vale.

United slipped to tenth after last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Stockport, and they will drop further down the table if Crewe (at Macclesfield) or Stevenage (home to Hereford) win tonight.

But Lewis said: “Until you’re totally out of it, you always believe.

“We’ll be going to Port Vale thinking we can win the game. Nothing will change from that point of view.

“Oxford United’s a big club, with big support, and we expect and want to do better and better. We’re not satisfied with being a mid-table team.

“People will always say that Oxford United have just come up from the Conference, they’re tenth in the league, and what a good season that is. But for us, it’s not good enough.”

Some of the teams chasing the play-offs face each other tonight, with Shrewsbury (fourth) at home to Port Vale (sixth), and Southend (ninth) taking on Gillingham (seventh).

LEAGUE One strugglers Bristol Rovers yesterday sacked former Oxford United duo David Penney as their manager, and his No 2, Martin Foyle.