Oxford United boss Darren Patterson had mixed feelings after his side lost 2-1 Southern League Brackley on Saturday.

An almost full-strength first-half line-up went into the break 1-0 up, but a poor second-half display from a side comprising youth players, trialists and only three senior pros saw Brackley storm back for victory.

"It was an excellent workout - I thought it was a great game," said Patterson.

"We had a strong side out in the first half.

"In the second half , we had a mix of players who hadn't played for two years, some young lads and some trialists.

"But I'm very disappointed because we had a couple of our senior boys out there.

"I thought their performance was shocking - it was not good enough."

Patterson added of his side's first-half showing: "Lewis Haldane scored a good goal, but Jamie Guy gave his body up to create it.

"I thought James Constable was a constant threat again. I will put out a strong side at Banbury (the U's visit tomorrow) who will play for around 70 minutes, but that has always the intention. Everything is going according to plan."

Patterson, who started each half with different teams, saw his side dominate the early proceedings and Rob Davies was unlucky not to score when his goalbound shot struck fellow new boy Constable.

It followed excellent work from Guy whose pace and movement caused problems for Brackley in his first 45 minutes for the club.

Guy was only denied a debut goal thanks to a fine block from former U's keeper Richard Knight, who raced off his line after the on-loan Colchester player had burst through.

On 27 minutes, Haldane fired United ahead from 20 yards after being set up by Guy.

Brackley, who boasted ex-United midfielder and player-coach Dave Savage, in their line-up should have levelled, but Matt Day, who played the whole game, made a tremendous block on Ben Mackey.

The second half was only minutes old when Dean Cracknell levelled with a tremendous 25-yard shot, before Alex Jeannin was unlucky to see his header bounce down and up over the bar.

U's striker Alex Fisher, who linked up well with Cheltenham Town triallist Craig Reid, almost restored United's lead, but Savage good in a brilliant block to deny Fisher, who last season spent a spell at Brackley on loan.

But on 70 minutes, some poor defending saw Brackley substitute Danny Spencer head home the winner from a corner by ex-U's youngster Tom Winters, who was a threat throughout.

Eddie Hutchinson should have levelled, but headed Jeannin's cross over the bar.

Reid was then denied by Brackley substitute keeper Tom Willshire.

Oxford Utd: Cole (Hinchcliffe 45), Clarke (Silk 45), Carruthers (Sampson 45), Burnell (Hutchinson 45), Willmott (Bennett 45), Day, Davies (Benjamin 45), Guy (Bowerman 45), Haldane (Jeannin 45), Constable (Fisher 45), Odubade (C Reid 45).

Attendance: 726.