Oxford United's new regime was ushered in with a season's-high attendance, a morale-boosting win and a sense of quiet optimism.

Yesterday 4,645 noisy fans arrived at the Kassam Stadium to witness the start of new chairman Kelvin Thomas's reign at the helm, following Nick Merry's decision to stand down.

The fans were buoyant as United ran out 2-1 winners against a highly-rated Rushden and Diamonds side, hoping the recent weeks of poor results on the pitch and fears about the financial situation off it were now behind the club.

The long-suffering fans roared their approval as goals in each half from Barry Quinn and Phil Trainer gave the new chairman the best possible start.

After the match, Will Eason, 27 of Oxford, said: "It's hard to tell after just one game but it was a much better performance on the pitch than before and I'm happy with the manager and happy with the new chairman."

Tony Walker, 57, of Oakley, near Thame, added: "We all just need to give the new chairman every chance to get it right off the pitch, then I think everything else, like getting three points more often, will follow. But I'm much more optimistic."

Terry Taylor, 42, of Godalming, in Surrey, said: "I'm very glad Nick Merry has gone and I expect Kelvin to start turning things round and take us in the direction we should be going in.

"I'm much, much more happier now, after this win and with the change at the top, than I was this time last week."

John Knight, 48, of Kidlington, has been following United since he was four but admitted it was the first game he had attended this season.

He added: "I've found it's a lot of money to watch mediocre football but I'm hoping this time things can be turned around.

"We won't make the play-offs, so the most important thing is to make sure the club is still in existence in six months' time. Once that's achieved, we can push on from there. I can't imagine life without Oxford United."

Other fans were more cautious and predicted more hard times before the club can reverse the slump which saw them slip out of the Football League in 2006 and struggle to mount a promotion challenge last season.

Richard Parker, 53 of Eynsham, said: "It makes a change to get a good win but let's see where we are in three games' time. I don't think a new chairman makes a lot of difference."

Liam Swatton, 14, of Blackbird Leys, said: "It can't get any worse. I'm always optimistic but this is Oxford United, after all, so absolutely anything can happen."