OXFORD United need to get used to visiting teams setting out to frustrate them at home, according to skipper John Mousinho.

A well-organised Shrewsbury Town proved a tough nut to crack and became the first team to stop Karl Robinson’s men from scoring at the Kassam Stadium this season in a goalless draw.

It proved a tough afternoon for the U’s, who also saw key pair Anthony Forde – who was rushed to hospital with breathing difficulties – and James Henry add to their long injury list.

The hosts were frustrated the officials did not clamp down on Shrewsbury’s robust approach, while the visitors also looked to slow the game down as the afternoon wore on.

Mousinho saw it as a reflection of how well United have done this season and knows solutions must be found if they are going to stay in the Sky Bet League One promotion race.

IN PICTURES: Oxford v Shrewsbury

He said: “I think even in the first half we had a few Shrewsbury players when the ball was going out of play tactically booting it into the stands.

“The way I take it is there’s very little we can do about it.

“But ultimately it’s a compliment to Oxford United and the way we’ve been playing at home that they’ve done such a good job at killing the game.

“Maybe it’s something going forward we’re really going to have to deal with and make sure we do find ways around it.

“Because if we don’t go 1-0 or 2-0 up in the first half, like we have been doing, then we’ve got a different challenge on our hands.”

The result saw United slip out of the play-off positions, but on an afternoon where most of the top teams failed to win they are just two points off third with a game in hand on several of their rivals.

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Of more concern ahead of the busy festive schedule is the loss of Forde and Henry.

United fear both will be sidelined until the new year, with suspected broken ribs and a thigh strain respectively.

Mousinho said: “Of course it’s a big blow.

“There’s no point lying and saying it’s no problem.

“We have certain players we can bring in but the more injuries we have the more difficult it becomes.

“Unfortunately it looks a bad one for Fordey.”