OXFORD United’s phenomenal run of form continued on Saturday.

The 1-0 win over Mansfield followed a string of wins, which means the U’s have leapt from flirting with relegation to dabbling at the top end of the table.

Many teams around them have games in hand, and it looks more and more likely the club will rue their five-point deduction from the Football Conference.

But perhaps the more damaging hit were the scrappy losses to teams they have now left behind at the foot of the table.

We fear the team could come agonisingly close to the play-off berths and miss out.

At least Chris Wilder has restored some faith and pride in the yellow shirt and Saturday’s game against Torquay could be a belter.

Right now, it would be a great boost to the city if Oxford could defy the odds and creep into the play-offs.