Johnny Mullins challenged Oxford United to keep improving ahead of the new campaign after putting in their best display of pre-season with a 2-0 win at Eastleigh on Saturday.

The centre back opened the scoring from close range, before Danny Hylton skilfully doubled the advantage two minutes later.

Michael Appleton’s men did not have it all their own way and with the game still goalless Eastleigh wasted two golden chances – the first by former U’s striker James Constable.

In the context of their 1-0 defeat at Woking in the previous game, it was a marked improvement, but Mullins is well aware the upward curve needs to continue ahead of their Sky Bet League Two opener at home to Crawley Town on August 8.

He said: “We weren’t pleased at Woking, there were a few aspects of the game we thought we could improve on.

“There were a few things said and I think we remedied them.

“Taking that as a base we improved massively and we will try and do that against Coventry (this Saturday) and then fire on all cylinders come the Crawley game.

“But this is only one game, we know what we’ve got to do going forward.”

Eastleigh had a host of United connections, from chairman Stewart Donald and manager Richard Hill through to Constable, who was one of four players in the XI coming up against their former club.

At times the game became heated, particularly at the end of the first half where there appeared to be an altercation in the tunnel.

But Mullins thought the edge on the game was a benefit as they prepared for the return of competitive football.

He said: “There was a bit on the game. I think there were a few things that got away (from the referee) and that leads to tempers fraying.

“But it was a proper game and that’s what you want.”

Appleton said: “I think we’re nowhere near yet in terms of the attacking prowess we had at the end of last season.

“A lot of the personnel are the same, but it’s the timing of runs and when to play the ball.

“We’re in pretty good shape – if we were firing on all cylinders now with two weeks to go you’re aware things can change very quickly."