KARL Robinson insists Oxford United remain capable of breaking into Sky Bet League One's top six.

The U's, who sit eighth, are five points short of the play-off positions after last night's 1-0 home defeat to fourth-placed Portsmouth.

It means United have won just two of their six games since they claimed a record-breaking ninth successive victory against AFC Wimbledon on February 2.

Player ratings: What we thought of Oxford United against Portsmouth

Robinson felt the U's were disappointing in the first 25 minutes of the second half against Pompey, but thought otherwise his side showed enough to challenge for a play-off place. 

United's head coach said: “The run that we’ve been on was immense.

"If we’d lost one or two of those nine games and won against Portsmouth, we’d be saying the chase is back on.

"We’re in this race.

"After the game, these players were more hurt than ever and they will push and become better because of the experience.

"Portsmouth are in the top four and they’re not better than us, that’s the reality of it.

"It was two very even teams, so it shows we can mix it with them.

"If they’d blown us away, I would've said we’re a little bit off the top echelons of the league.

"But we’re not, we’ve got big games coming up and we have to be better in all areas."

Highlights: All the key moments from last night

Harvey White's 48th-minute header proved to be the winner for Pompey, while United's best opportunities came when Mide Shodipo and Elliott Moore were thwarted by goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray in second-half stoppage-time.

Centre back Rob Atkinson had been replaced by Anthony Forde shortly before, but Robinson confirmed it was simply to give the U's more of an attacking threat.

He said: “I just thought he had a bad night.

"Sam Long’s better in the air than everyone. He wins every header.

"Because the centre backs can step out, you get Fordey a bit higher up and he becomes more of a threat.

"It was purely tactical and a decision we thought was right.”