on the style PAUL Powell's wonder goal for Oxford United at the Manor Ground on Saturday might just earn him a place in the Premiership.

Powell must have impressed watching Derby County boss Jim Smith, the former Oxford United manager, after another fine performance. But it was his points-clinching goal in United's 2-1 defeat of Port Vale which proved he had real class.

He ran 30 yards with the ball and then curled a 20-yard shot past Vale's former Manchester United keeper Kevin Pilkington.

It capped a great 24 hours for the 20-year-old from Didcot who, only the previous night, had learned he would be joining the Football League's Under 21 squad for their international with Italy's Serie B in Terni on Wednesday. He flew out last night.

Smith was also in the directors' box at Birmingham last week to see Powell give an impressive display there.

After the win over Vale, United manager Malcolm Shotton said: "I knew Jim Smith was watching but I've not spoken to him for some time.

"It would be nice to think Paul's goal has increased his value even more but, quite honestly, players are only valued at what people want to pay for them and we haven't had an offer for him so far."

Powell described his goal as "my best for the first team", though he pointed out: "I do that in training all the time!

"I knew before the game that Jim Smith was here and of course it's on your mind then. But when you go out on the pitch and the game starts, it's forgotten.

"All you are concentrating on is getting the three points. The lads worked hard when Port Vale put the pressure on us, but I was always confident we would win.

"Two wins on the trot is a great feeling, we just want it to be the start of a run now."

Shotton said: "The three points are very welcome.

"Paul was playing out of position at right wing-back but that's where our pre-season work paid off. Players get used to playing in one area all the time and we got them to play in different positions.

"The lads have worked hard in training and they've got their reward with these two wins. We showed good professionalism to hold on."

Defender Phil Gilchrist stated: "We started very well by going two goals up early on and let them back in a bit, but we've come out and done a professional job in the second half."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.