Guy Whittingham wasn't surprised by his goal in his first appearance for Oxford United at Swindon last Sunday because throughout his career he's often scored on his debut.

The 35-year-old striker showed immediately in the match at the County Ground just what Oxford had been missing.

He made the runs into the box that had not been there with previous forwards and his well-taken goal, from fellow debutant Sam Ricketts' pass, was reward for his bravery and gambling.

"I saw a replay of the goal on TV and as soon as Sam Ricketts played the ball, Guy was making his run," caretaker boss Mike Ford said. "He should probably have scored from that great cross from Derek Lilley before that. It's great to have a player making runs like that." But that was on Monday. By Wednesday night, Whittingham was gone, returning to Fratton Park to assist caretaker manager Steve Claridge following Portsmouth's decision to give under-fire boss Tony Pulis a four-month leave of absence.

Whittingham said: "I have a good record of scoring in my first one or two games with a club.

"I remember scoring for Villa at Everton on my debut, for Sheffield Wednesday on my debut, and as well as for Peterborough on my debut this season, I've now done it for Oxford.

"Even at my first League club, Portsmouth, I scored in my second appearance as a substitute, against Stoke. I enjoyed playing on Sunday, though I obviously didn't enjoy the result, but it was good to be back playing first-team football again that's what you do this job for."

The former Oxford City marksman, who is in his 12th season of professional football after leaving the Army, said: "I always regard myself as a naturally fit footballer and I've played a few games here and there, it's not as though I've been doing nothing. "What Oxford said to me was that they need somebody to score goals. I was pleased with the one I took when I think how far I had to run to get to it. The one I put over the bar I stretched for and probably connected with too well. If I'd mis-hit it, it would probably have gone in.

"Mike Ford had said to the players about, once they're in that final third, trying to get the ball into the right areas and if I had chances I would take them."

So what did Whittingham think of the players at the Manor?

"Obviously you could see the confidence lacking from the gaps that were appearing in different parts of the pitch, but in the second half we created a lot of chances and after we had scored I thought we were the better team.

"I believe I can go on playing for a couple more years. And the reason is that I am always in the top group in the fitness tests we have at Portsmouth.

Whittingham's goal at Swindon made him the first striker to score for Oxford United since Derek Lilley's effort against Brentford last April, 17 matches ago.