Oxford United boss Des Buckingham questioned whether Blackburn Rovers' equaliser should have stood but cursed poor finishing for their late defeat.

Rovers ran out 2-1 winners thanks to Arnor Sigurdsson's curling strike. Oxford had been decent value and whilst the hosts weren't undeserving of the win, few would've complained the Us weren't decent value for a point.

Buckingham believes the referee could've blown before Rovers' leveller due to a clash of heads. Joe Rankin-Costello then scored shortly after.

"I thought it was a good game, the atmosphere was very good," he told The Lancashire Telegraph.

ROVERS TAKEAWAYS: SIGURDSSON'S BIG MOMENTS AS ROVERS STATISTICS TUMBLE

"I thought we created good chances in the first half and we should've gone in ahead but we didn't take them. The hardest chance we had in the game, we scored from.

"I'm disappointed to concede when we did but I think there's a foul in the build-up. It's a clash of heads with our defender, Ciaran Brown, it's accidental but he's down holding his head.

"It goes through two or three phases where the referee could've stopped it. That happens and we ave to manage it. 

"The second half was even but Blackburn grew into the game, more aggressive out of possession. We tried to stand up to that and we did well against that.

"On the whole, it's a big jump for us in the last six months and I'm very pleased with how we've applied ourselves in these three games. I'd like to think anyone who watched that game can see we're capable in terms of performances but also to take points."

Oxford have acquitted themselves well, with one win and two narrow away defeats. The clinical edge in the Championship has been evident to Buckingham early on.

"Teams are at this level for a reason, Blackburn have made a great start with a very good manager and good way of playing.

"We knew it would be tough coming here but the key moments, small margins, they're the difference at this level. We had some big chances but those moments are key.

"It's fine margins but the pleasing thing for me was, we want the points, but how we went about what we did. If we carry that on, I'd like to think we'll get our rewards."