JOHN Coleman rued a freak own goal which the Accrington Stanley boss felt decided their clash against Oxford United.

The visitors ran out 4-1 winners, but had been pegged back by a 71st-minute penalty.

United promptly went up the other end and retook the lead when Joel Cooper's shot hit Mark Hughes and then ricocheted into the net off Joe Pritchard.

Matty Taylor went on to score twice late on to give the visitors breathing space.

Coleman told Stanley's website: "I don’t think the result showed a true reflection of the game.

"The game hinged on a bizarre own goal which you’ll get once every three or four seasons, at a time when they didn’t look like threatening and we were in the ascendancy having just got back into the game.

Also read: Covid alcohol spray grinds Oxford United's team bus to halt

"We got what was rightfully a penalty, although he got an age to give it.

"Then when you think we’re going to go on and win the game, or certainly not lose it, you have the bizarre own goal."

Within a couple of minutes of United going 2-1 ahead, Stanley went down to ten men when Dion Charles received a straight red card.

The striker looked stunned by the decision, which followed a scramble after Simon Eastwood fumbled a high ball.

Colemand said: "Then there’s a bizarre sending off which nobody knows what it’s for.

"I’ve had an explanation from Dion and a call from two people who watched it on TV. They both said they didn’t see anything.

In pictures: Accrington Stanley v Oxford United gallery

"From what we can gather the keeper’s dropped the ball, he’s made an attempt to get to the ball and got nowhere near it, the keeper screamed, there was a lot of pushing and shoving and the linesman’s made a decision.

"There are reports coming in that he raised his foot in a dangerous manner. That’s led to he’s stamped on his neck.

"I know Dion quite well and I don’t think he stamped on anyone’s neck. I could be wrong, if it is wrong we’ll punish him heavily. If he’s not wrong we’ll appeal."

He added: "Everything that could go against us went against us. 

"This certainly wasn’t a 4-1, but things like that happen in football."