Following their 2-1 win at Rotherham United, Oxford United have stretched their unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions.
It was a tough battle for both sides at the New York Stadium, but the win moves Karl Robinson’s side to 5th in League One.
Tariqe Fosu gave the U’s the lead with a terrific finish, but the visitors were pegged back before the break. Matty Taylor secured the eventual winner midway through the second half.
Robinson was pleased with the performance but felt his side could have made the scoreline more comfortable.
Robinson told the Oxford Mail: “We’re not where we should be yet, but I think that’s a massive step in the direction of what I expect.
“I thought we were excellent and it could have been more. I think after we went 1-0 up Cameron (Brannagan) missed a one-on-one, Matty missed a sitter and Mous (John Mousinho) missed a sitter at the back post.
“In the second half after we went 2-1 up Matty missed two or three sitters, which is not like him. We could have put the game to bed well and truly.
He added: “We’ve got so many big players out – Woody (Ben Woodburn), Rob Dickie, Fordey (Anthony Forde).
“But we’ve been brilliant and I’m really proud of my team. It means nothing, it’s just another three points and that’s the reality of a Football League season.”
The game also featured a minute’s applause for a fan for each side who had recently died. For Oxford, the applause came in the 66th minute for lifelong and legendary fan Andy ‘Womble’ James.
Robinson said: “I’d like to dedicate that to Womble. I think all the fans know how important he was to the club and his constant support through the good times and bad times was true within him.
“It’s important those people understand they do have a massive influence on our lives. I think the one thing the fans can say is their team cares for the club as well.”
Meanwhile, Rotherham boss Paul Warne admitted his side came up against a very decent opponent but criticised the performance of his side.
Warne told the Rotherham official website: “We didn’t win enough one-v-one battles, that’s probably the nicest way of putting it.
“The standout player wasn’t on my team today; he [Fosu] caused us all sorts of problems. Every time he won it back, he got them up the pitch. We just probably didn’t have a similar starlet, really.
“With 25 minutes to go, we’re 2-1 down at home and throwing the kitchen sink. It opens it up for the counter-attack, so I’m grateful to my goalkeeper for keeping the score-line decent. I just didn’t think we finished with enough balls into the box and getting into good positions to cross it but breaking down.
“I didn’t think we were strong enough on attacking set-pieces, either. Obviously, goals change games and they were on top and deserved their goal. It’s disappointing someone so small has scored a header against us. Overall I think they were better than us, that’s the honest answer.”
