Simon Wiles proud of 10-man Fleetwood after defeat at Oxford

The Cod Army had to play all but the first six minutes with 10 men after Charlie Mulgrew’s early sending-off.

Josh Ruffels scored the only goal after 29 minutes as interim Wiles’ wait for a first win as interim boss continues after six games.

The defeat was Fleetwood’s first ever at the hands of the U’s but Wiles said: “It was a nightmare start but even with that I thought we stayed aggressive with our play.

“I’m pleased with the response that the players gave.

“The message when the players got to us at half-time was, 'Stay in the game as long as you can.’

“Whilst it’s only 1-0 we’re still in the game to hopefully try and nick a point away from home again but it wasn’t to be.

“I was proud of the players’ performance, especially in the second half.

“I thought the conduct of the players and how disciplined they were in the shape was very good.

“At one stage there was three or four blocks on the line. Everyone put their bodies on the line and that’s what we’re about as a football club.”

The Cod Army huffed and puffed but couldn't deny Karl Robinson’s in-form charges a seventh straight win.

It was also a third straight game without a goal for Fleetwood, who scored twice at Hull City in Wiles' first game in charge in the EFL Trophy but have netted only once in five games since.

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