Blackburn Rovers boss Michael O'Neill said that their first half performance was to blame for their loss to Oxford United.
Jamie Donley scored the game's only goal as Rovers registered a fourth Championship game without a win.
O'Neill's side are now just one point above the relegation zone with nine league games remaining this season.
"I'm disappointed with the result and performance, particularly in the first half," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"In the second we were much more improved, but we were poor in the first half and that's where we lost the game.
"Overall it doesn't really matter what system you play when you can't take care of the ball, we gave it away cheaply and that cost us tonight.
"I think we could have been stronger defensively too, we've got nine games left and have to maximise what we can take in those games.
"The squad's extremely stretched and it's unlikely we'll get any of the injured players back before the international break so that will be a challenge."
