Magnificent United

Never have I seen 12 players work so hard to earn their club three points.

And in the context of what has gone on at the Manor Ground over the past two weeks, theirs was a truly remarkable display of resilience and defiance in the face of adversity.

Oxford United's players forgot their club's off-the-field troubles and ran themselves into the ground to achieve their first away win of the season at promotion-chasing Birmingham.

Surviving an early onslaught, with goalkeeper Phil Whitehead making one save of the highest quality, they snatched a shock lead through Matt Murphy in the 27th minute and then battled like Trojans to hang on to the bitter end.

As expected, Trevor Francis's team had nearly all the play but Malcolm Shotton and Mark Harrison had clearly laboured long and hard on the training ground last week to prepare their side, for the visitors showed a teamwork and unity to which City had no answer.

Recalling Brian Wilsterman - who was harshly dropped for the Watford game - and welcoming back Phil Gilchrist and Simon Marsh, United's defence was solid and all on one wavelength as several times they held the line perfectly, Arsenal-like, to catch Birmingham forwards just offside.

Yet it took a marvellous save from Whitehead in the fifth minute to keep them in it, leaping full-length to tip Paul Furlong's header away for a corner. Much has ben made of Peter Schmeichel's retirement at the end of this season at Old Trafford. Manchester United could do a lot worse than consider Whitehead, if only as cover. He has proved over the past three years to be a superbly consistent keeper.

With back-from-suspension Dean Windass holding the ball up and linking play with strength and intelligence, and Andy Thomson ever willing to chase lost causes, the visitors had far more attacking threat than at Watford seven days earlier and, from a Simon Marsh corner, Wilsterman headed no more than a yard wide.

Midfielder Chris Marsden fired in a long-range effort which Whitehead tipped over but, as United came more into the match, Windass began to show his full array of skills.

Twice in the match he struck glorious 50-yard crossfield passes and when the former Aberdeen striker produced a sharp turn on the edge of the six-yard box in the 24th minute, and stood the ball up perfectly with a chip to the far post, it was such a shame there was no-one there to meet it. In the 27th minute, United stunned the home crowd with a well-worked goal. Simon Marsh's cross from the left was headed back by Thomson and after Windass took a swing but failed to make contact, Matt Murphy shot low past Kevin Poole into the bottom corner.

Gaining confidence from the goal, United's players stepped up their closing down of opponents and Birmingham's only other scoring opportunity of the first half was a half-chance for Peter Ndlovu, who sent in a snap-shot from the edge of the area that was always rising over Whitehead's bar.

There were clear signs of panic in Birmingham's back line at the start of the second haf as Murphy made a nuisance of himself and Windass had a goalbound shot blocked.

United knew they were likely to come under seige towards the end but by working hard for each other, getting in where it hurts and defending with intelligence - Paul Powell giving a very mature display at right wing-back - they soaked up the pressure.

Jon McCarthy was often the danger man. He cut in with a deft turn to beat Phil Gilchrist and set up Ndlovu, who went close with a flashing drive. The U's had a let-off midway through the second half when Marsden had a free header six yards out from Gary Rowett's right-wing cross. To their great relief, he headed wide.

Les Robinson, giving his best away performance of the season, and Wilsterman in particular, defended with strength and purpose and the visitors kept their shape well. And they had to for the game that flowed continuously with referee John Kirkby, allowing physical challenges on both sides, always prepared to let play go on.

Furlong could count himself unlucky with a header from McCarthy's cross six minutes from time that came back off the bar, yet few could deny Oxford deserved a moment of luck for their tireless work. Players dived in to make tackles or block shots, as though their lives depended on it.

The noise from the Oxford fans grew louder and louder as the seconds ticked away and when, two minutes from the end, Whitehead produced another sensational save to his left, pushing away a 12-yard blast from sub Nicky Forster, Birmingham seemed to realise it wasn't their day.

The last couple of minutes must have seemed an eternity for Shotton and Harrison and when the final whiste went, there were remarkable scenes.

Oxford fans streamed over towards the dug-out and Wilsterman ran over to celebrate with them. Shotton hugged players as they came off and Harrison shook each by the hand.

They were the kind of celebrations normally reserved only for winning the FA Cup final. But then, considering what has gone on, this was a similar achievement.

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