OXFORD United striker Andy Thomson felt the world had been lifted off his shoulders after he grabbed the injury-time goal to earn a point in a 3-3 thriller with Ipswich on Saturday.

His wild celebrations at the Manor were entirely understandable for it was his first goal for the club - at the umpteenth time of asking.

"To get the first one out of the way, and to get it in that sort of fashion in the last couple of minutes, is a great relief," he said. "It's a big weight off my shoulders.

"The celebrations were a bit over the top but I'd been feeling under a bit of pressure because I've had chances and not been scoring. Even in reserve games I've had the chances and not scored.

"When you join a new club it's a whole different ball game because you're trying to impress different people. When you've been at a club some time they know what you're like, so it's a new pressure on you when you're new and I admit I'd been feeling it."

The former Queen of the South striker, signed on a free transfer from Southend in the summer, came on as a substitute for the unlucky Nicky Banger midway through the game.

Banger scored United's opening goal and was a revelation in an attacking partnership with Dean Windass - who hit Goal No 2 - that promised great things. But then, typical of United's luck at the moment, Banger dislocated his collarbone in a fall.

Assistant manager Mark Harrison said: "That was the best I've seen Nicky Banger play for the club.

"He was holding it up, running at people, passing it well, getting in the box, he got his goal . . . you couldn't ask any more from him. But he looks like he could be out for a while."

Harrison added: "It was an excellent performance from our point of view. As a unit we were good, as individuals we were good all through the side. We passed the ball the best we have passed it all season, we created chances, and we deserved to win the game.

"In the end Ipswich created few chances and two of their goals have been very lucky. "We should have defended the corner better for their first goal, the lads know that but those things you can iron out.

"The other two goals you can't legislate for that bit of luck. Both times the ball bounced up for them. David Johnson hit the first one, it's rebounded straight to his head, and with the second one it's a shot blocked that spun up in the air and dropped straight at Kieron Dyer's feet. He's hit it, I think he's fluffed it a bit and it's gone in off the far post in the end."

United player with great spirit to bounce back from their derby defeat at Swindon and score three times against a side who had previously conceded only two all season.

"We had a word with the lads on Friday, another big word with them today and they responded superbly," Harrison explained after the game.

"They've shown more bottle today than they've shown all season.

"Dean Windass was superb. He's gone up front and held it up for us - but it's unfair to single people out because all 11 had a good game. "The performance is more pleasing than the actual point in the end. If we'd have got beat it would have been the biggest injustice in the world, and we'd have been absolutely shattered by it.

"It was important we didn't lose and after a performance like that we can only go forward from here."

Thomson confirmed: "I was desperate to do well and get that first goal out of the way, which is the main thing.

"Joey Beauchamp's corners were superb. He was doing the same thing in training on Friday and I scored two or three from the exact sort of position. He's different class at putting in quality balls and it showed today.

"Wednesday was very disappointing. Everybody was downbeat after the game, there were a few arguments in the dressing room and to come back and play the way we did against a very good team is very encouraging.

"Equalising in the last minute puts everybody in a good mood for next week.

"It's been a very frustrating time for me. I've had plenty of chances and it hasn't been going for me. Hopefully this first goal will make a big difference."

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