ALEX Mowatt admitted Oxford United’s players were left stunned by Conor McAleny’s dramatic late winner for Fleetwood Town.

It was a cruel punishment for the home side, who had controlled the game for long spells, but crucially could not make the breakthrough.

And there was a feeling of crushing inevitability when McAleny, for whom long-range strikes were a feature of his ten-goal loan spell with United last season, cut on to his right foot in stoppage-time.

The striker stood motionless after his shot found the top corner, killing the atmosphere in the Kassam Stadium dead in a split-second.

Mowatt said: “We had that many chances and put the pressure on.

“It only looked like us scoring and then in the last minute he scores a worldie and everyone’s just stunned.

“We’ve created the chances and I don’t think they had many.

“Let’s be honest, the goal wasn’t a chance, he’s struck it unbelievably from 30 yards and it’s gone in the top corner.

“I thought we dominated the game, but it’s about getting a result and we didn’t do that.”

The only consolation on the night was heavy defeats for Rochdale and Northampton Town, so United’s cushion over the bottom four in Sky Bet League One held steady at five points.

Head coach Karl Robinson was critical of referee Brendan Malone for missing what looked a clear penalty on Rob Dickie in the second half, but knew his side should not have needed to rely on that decision.

He said: “I’m shocked. I’ve never heard a stadium go from 100 to zero before.

“I’m speechless. The hurt inside me for my players and the fans is far greater than anything I’ve ever felt.

“I feel so sorry for my players, but they’ve got to take the chances when they come.”

The win took the Cod Army safe – and boss John Sheridan reckons they will be facing the U’s next season.

“I didn’t enjoy watching the game, I thought Oxford were the better side and I was disappointed in the way we played,” he said.

“Oxford are a good footballing side. I think they will stay up and be a strong team in this division next season.”