MATT Bevans says Oxford United have to cut out the individual mistakes which have affected their away form ahead of the trip to Dagenham & Redbridge today.

A rock solid defence provided the platform for a superb unbeaten run on the road in Sky Bet League Two this season.

But the U’s have struggled at the back ever since their first defeat, 3-2 at Newport County last month.

They have conceded 13 goals on their travels in the last five games, most recently losing 3-0 at Southend United on Monday.

Suspensions and injuries to key personnel have not helped, but Bevans knows they can do better.

The full back started at Roots Hall and with Tom Newey still suspended, the 20-year-old is likely to continue this afternoon.

He said: “We made errors (at Southend) which cost us and we’ve been stronger than that in games.

“We normally deal with them comfortably, but errors are mounting up at the moment and it’s letting us down.

“We’re lacking a bit of confidence at the moment and our form hasn’t been great.

“We just need a good win and we’ll kick on from there.

“Dagenham’s a massive game for us to bounce back, there are seven games left and we need to get as many points as we can to get in the play-offs.

“Every point is crucial, so we need to pick up as many as we can, starting on Saturday.

“As long as we do our job, we’ll be in the play-offs, it’s in our hands.”

Dagenham, in tenth, could still mount a late charge into play-off contention, but United do have an excellent record at Victoria Road – each of their four visits have ended in 1-0 away wins.

Gary Waddock watched Wayne Burnett’s men share a goalless draw at home to Accrington Stanley on Tuesday evening.

United’s new head coach is well aware of the challenge they will pose, but expects his side to provide a response to the display at Southend.

He said: “I’ve seen how Dagenham play and will look to see how we go and get a result.

“The supporters are right on the pitch with you, the team have done very well this year.

“It’s another difficult place to go to, but we have to bounce back from Monday evening.”