Lee Steele's dramatic late match-winner against Scunthorpe may have done enough to win him a starting place in Oxford United's Division 3 promotion battle at Yeovil tomorrow.

Manager Ian Atkins was impressed with the way Steele, who had come off the bench, took his 88th-minute goal to earn United three vital points.

It was the former Brighton striker's first goal since returning from a cruciate knee injury, and he marked it by pointing a finger at the bench.

Afterwards, Steele dedicated the strike to the physio team at United who have helped get him back to full fitness.

"It was great to get on the scoresheet to say 'that one's for you," he told United's official website.

"Neil Sullivan and Charlie Greig have been superb all the time I've been recovering from my injury and we are very lucky to have them here.

"That goal was for them and for all the fans who have given me their support."

Steele could come in for leading scorer Steve Basham tomorrow.

But with Mark Rawle also scoring in his comeback game, there's fierce competition for the strikers' positions.

"Steeley's been a right pain in the backside lately, but that's because he wants to play," Atkins said.

"His contract's up at the end of the year, which is not a nice situation to be in. But he came on, got us the goal again and is still very much in the equation.

The U's boss had sprung a surprise by dropping playmaker Dean Whitehead on Wednesday, yet conceded that the Abingdon midfielder was unfortunate to be the one to make way.

"Deano was a bit unlucky to be left out, although he could have been better of late," Atkins added.

"I just felt that, with Scunthorpe's height, the set pieces would be a big value to us. And Paul Wanless, who had a better game, scored from one.

"People sometimes need a little breather. It won't do Deano any harm, and it won't do Basham any harm if he drops out for a game, so we'll look at what to do for Yeovil.

CONTRARY to radio reports, Oxford United's AGM was not held last night. It was the annual meeting of supporters' group OxVox.