Another two goals from Lee Boylan and a string of fine saves from Danny Potter ensured the three points at Oxford United on Tuesday evening.

Boylan gave United the lead with a header in the 16th minute after meeting Rob Wolleaston's pinpoint cross, and although Oxford equalised two minutes later a half-time change of formation to 4-4-2 paid off when Boylan scored again on 58 after Lee McEvilly threaded the ball to him.

Oxford threw four up front to try to get back on level terms and Potter made three top class saves in as many minutes as they turned up the heat, but an efficient team performance saw United finish with the three points and leapfrog over Torquay into second place.

"We defended very well and Pottsy was very good for us," said assistant manager Willy Wordsworth.

"I thought the game itself was as we expected; it's always going to be a tough game when you come here, but we just got into that routine and we're happy to come away with three points.

"We've hardened the boys up a bit and we're trying to learn how to win games. They were saying that this is the sort of game we would have lost last year, but we're defending really well now. We changed the formation to a 4-4-2 at half-time, which is something we do in training because sometimes you have to adjust when you're under pressure.

"We were under pressure, there's no doubt that, but we soaked it up. We've got some big-hearted players and we knew we needed to stiffen the midfield up, and that's what we did.

"Jimmy is a master tactician, he's got promoted from this league and by no means are we out of it. We'll be chasing Aldershot right to the last game and we've got Torquay at home in the second-last game of the season, and the Gaffer is switched on - there's no doubt about that."

On Danny Potter and his outstanding second half saves, Willy added, "He's been absolutely fantastic for us all season.

"We're asking for another 10% out of everybody. It's a long season and we've got a decent squad, everyone's coming back from injuries really quickly because they don't want to be out of it, and Danny Brown will be back in the next two or three weeks."

There were 487 away fans at the game giving the U's continuous vocal support, and Wordsworth explained that the management encouraged the players to warm down immediately after the game to share some banter with them.

"When they come out in force like that they're just fantastic, and that's why we warm down straightaway in front of them," he said. "I've never done that before but they've bothered to come out and support us when it's freezing cold and we really, really appreciate it."

On the remaining twelve games and the title chase, he concluded, "We know what Aldershot have got and all of our games are going to be hard, but we've got into the habit of winning and we're very pleased with the lads. They work hard in training and on the park and we work hard on defending together.

"We're trying to win every game that we go out to play and let the rest take care of themselves."

United are next in action at Farsley Celtic on Saturday at 3pm.

[Match report] [Fixture list] [League table]

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