Joe Edwards refused to put any blame on team-mate George Moncur, who missed a 20th minute penalty in Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat to Peterborough, a result which has virtually condemned the U’s to relegation.

The U’s were only trailing 1-0 when Moncur’s spot kick was saved by Posh keeper Ben Alnwick.

Edwards said: “The penalty miss was crucial, but George has been brilliant for us this year.

“He’s won us games on his own, so we can’t blame George for anything like that, especially as a few other boys had chances as well.

“Everyone has to take responsibilty for today, because we could have scored five or six goals.”

Right-back Edwards thought the scoreline was harsh on the U’s.

He continued: “It definitely wasn’t a 4-1 game. We had so many chances, but it was just one of those days when they didn’t go in.

“Obviously the early goal set us back a little bit. After that I thought we were brilliant in the first half. We missed a penalty and had a goal disallowed.

“We were caught cold at the beginning, and they started bright. It was disappointing, because we had been doing well defensively.

“The last three goals were all the result of us going for it and so leaving numbers up top. That’s Peterborough’s game-plan – they leave players up front and that’s how they catch us on the counter.

“We’ve been the better side in games for the last two or three months, but that’s no consolation because we are where we are.”

The U’s are away at bottom club Crewe Alexandra tonight.

If the U’s lose, and both Fleetwood and Shrewsbury pick up at least a point, then Keen’s men will be officially relegated, with three games still remaining.