KARL Robinson admitted there were concerns history would repeat itself as Oxford United almost let a comfortable position slip against Scunthorpe United.

Jerome Sinclair's second-half double set the U's up for what looked like a straightforward victory.

But George Thomas's stoppage-time tap-in led for a nerve-racking finale as the Iron threatened an equaliser.

It would have been particularly agonising, given United had thrown away a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 in the reverse fixture at Glanford Park in November.

Also read: Oxford Utd 2, Scunthorpe Utd 1 - match report

Robinson had said in the build-up he was looking forward to having a game where he could enjoy the latter stages, but this turned out to be a tense finish.

"We almost had it," he said. "They’re good this team at not allowing me to do that (relax), it’s a speciality they have.

"There was nothing at 2-0 but when they scored the goal I looked up to my wife and her face was how I felt myself. It was ‘oh, come on’.

"To be fair they should have scored, but Longy (Sam Long) came across to block."

Also read: Jerome Sinclair thrilled to be Oxford United's match-winner

The dramatic finish was in contrast to a dire first half which had little excitement.

Robinson said: "In the first half we played too many passes into the middle of the pitch.

"If the opposition are going to play in that compact shape then you need to get it to the full back and the winger and you create one-versus-one duels.

"Our goals came from crosses, so at half-time we took stock and I thought our second half performance was very good, very entertaining.

"We were fluent, I thought we dominated the ball."