SAM Rose says it is up to him to find a way to get Oxford United Women firing in front of goal again.

A seven-game winning run was ended with a 5-1 defeat at home to high-flying Portsmouth, before last night’s 2-0 loss on home turf against third-placed Rugby Borough.

Second half goals from Lily Greenslade and Katy Morris were enough to secure three points for the visitors, following a first half which lacked clear opportunities for both teams.

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Greenslade gave Rugby the lead seven minutes into the second period, when she turned in the penalty box and shot past Paris Sercombe.

She almost added a second in the 70th minute with an effort from range which smashed off the post.

Six minutes later, the away side did grab their second, when Morris nipped in and clipped the ball past Sercombe.

United manager Rose said: “We weren’t great, but the first half was something to build on.

“I’m just disappointed that we conceded so early in the second half, because I thought we might’ve been able to build on that first half.

“We looked relatively solid and defended a fair few chances, but going forward, it was a struggle.

“We’ve not created anyway near enough to win the game, and Rugby have been the better side.

“We need to look at it and learn from it, and try and move forward.”

He added: “It’s important we pick what we can out of the last two results and find a way to move forward.

“We’re a good side and we’ve got some good players. They’re feeling pretty flat at the moment, and understandably so, but my job is to pick it back up, and point it in the right direction, and give the girls real clarity on what we’re trying to do.

“We just want to be better in the final third, and get Zoe [Barratt] those chances to get back scoring, and find those opportunities to get down the sides, and through the front of the box, which we’ve done really well until the last couple of weeks.

“That’s the challenge, but that’s my job, and I’ll make sure we get back to our best.”

The U’s are next in action on March 10, when they make the trip to Hashtag United Women.