CUT out the errors and work hard and we will turn things around – that is the message from John Coleman to his Stanley players following Tuesday’s 5-1 defeat at Oxford United.

The mistakes have been mounting for the Reds with Coleman pointing out that nine of the 12 goals conceded in the last three games have been self-inflicted.

While Coleman was unhappy with the officiating at the Kassam Stadium – where Ethan Hamilton had a goal ruled out with the score at 2-0 – he knows he has to concentrate on eradicating the errors in the Stanley camp.

“Oxford were the better team but I thought we actually played quite well, and I know that sounds strange after losing 5-1,” said Coleman.

“They were just clinical in front of goal, whereas we keep making individual errors which are costing us goals. We gifted them at least three goals.

“But that is the way things are going for us, we are making individual errors and we are getting punished and then other people are making errors that is costing us goals.”

He added: “This might sound churlish, I honestly thought we were the better team in the second half even though we have ended up losing (the half) 3-1. We gave as good as we got. They were just ruthless in front of goal, they finished it well with some real bad individual errors, giving the ball away in our own half and got punished.

“But you have to to take your hat off to how well Oxford did finish them and they were ruthless in front of goal.

“They haven’t won in the last four games but they could have won all four because they missed chances. They didn’t miss them tonight and that was the difference.

“But we have got to stop making individual errors and once we do that we will be all right.”

The heavy defeat at Oxford followed Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Morecambe and a 4-1 home defeat to Wigan – a goals against column that is a worry for Coleman.

But he says it is something players and coaching staff will address together.

“There is a concern,” he told the club website, “12 goals in three games, why wouldn’t it be a concern. We have been through them all in the changing room, I think nine different players have made an individual error that has led to a goal in the last 12.

“So how do you stop that? You can’t leave nine players out. You have just got to keep going, keep working hard on the training ground. But we’re not scared of hard work, and your luck will change if you get back to basics and you work hard enough.”

He added: “You are always looking for a response but you need a response from me first, we need a response from the coaching staff. They are looking for guidance from us and we are prepared to give it.”