We need to get the fans back on side, says Exiles striker

Disgruntled supporters booed the team off the pitch after Tuesday night’s 2-1 home defeat to AFC Wimbledon after two late goals gave the visitors victory.

Jeffers, who was a second half substitute against the Dons, admits that the team were ‘naive’ to let the game slip away and he doesn’t blame the fans for booing.

“We’re disappointed,” he said. “We wanted to see the game out at 1-0 up and we were a bit naive in the end to give away two goals.

“We knew we should have won the game. We worked really hard for the goal and we should have seen it out.

“But we’ve got to show our character and win the next game.

“It’s not nice to hear the fans booing but if we put in a performance against Scunthorpe and get the win we’ll get the fans back on side.

“We’ll go into the game with our heads held high and show the crowd what we can do.”

Jeffers is desperate to get a start up front after being relegated to the bench for the last three games and he insists that the Exiles’ play-off dream could still become a reality.

“It seems like we’re performing better against the top teams and hopefully it will be the same again against Scunthorpe,” said the former England under-19 striker.

“They won’t be looking forward to coming here. We ended Oxford’s unbeaten away run and there’s no reason why we can’t do the same to Scunthorpe.

“The play-offs are still on,” he added. “We’ve still got games in hand and obviously we’d prefer the points but we’re still in with a shout.

“We’re not going to let the defeats get us down and we won’t give up the fight.”

And Jeffers is ready to fight for his place with Chris Zebroski, Rene Howe, Christian Jolley, Danny Crow and the soon to return Aaron O’Connor.

“I’ve got to keep working hard and try to get some games,” he said.

“Up front is my preferred position but I can play out wide as well so that is another attacking option for us in a three. I just want to play.”