Ian Atkins has modestly refused to take the credit for "finding" Oxford United's cup hero Jefferson Louis.

Jefferson LouisThe U's boss said the one who should take the plaudits is the club's youth development officer, Les Taylor, who had insisted the player was "worth taking a gamble with", following a strong tip-off from Thame United boss Andy Sinnott.

The third division club did - and the gamble has paid off handsomely with Louis scoring the winners in exhilarating cup triumphs this season against Charlton and Swindon.

His second-half header at the Kassam Stadium on Sunday, which earned United a 1-0 FA Cup win over Swindon and a third-round visit to double winners and Premiership leaders Arsenal on January 4, could be worth a fortune.

Atkins said: "This club has a massive debt to pay to Les Taylor. He said it was worth taking a punt with him because, although he's raw, he has so much pace and power. I'd like to take the credit, but to be honest, I just came in one day and Jefferson was there!"

Taylor was also keen to pass on some of the credit for "discovering" the striker, who has now scored four goals in seven starts in his first few months as a professional since stepping up from Ryman League Thame United.

"The person who put me on to him was Paul Longford, a good friend of Sinnott," said Taylor. "He said to me he is raw but very strong and powerful.

"When I first went to watch him, he was playing for Thame against Oxford City. He scored that day, and I thought there might be something to work with.