DEAN Windass paid back another large chunk of his record fee with the two goals which helped Oxford United break their league duck at the Manor Ground.

And the 28-year-old then admitted he'd rather be up front - to get even more goals if he can.

The former Aberdeen striker, signed for a whopping £475,000 in the summer, took his tally to three goals this season as the U's beat Portsmouth 3-0 to record their first Division 1 win of the 1998-9 campaign yesterday.

And afterwards he said: "I prefer playing up front where I've played all my career, but the manager has asked me to play in midfield at this present time because he wants me to do a job.

"This was a great result for us, and a vital win. We got the little bit of luck that we haven't been getting lately and it was a great opening goal from Simon Marsh.

"Hopefully, this can kick-start our season and it sets us up for Wednesday's local derby at Swindon."

The first of Windass's brace came from the penalty spot and the second was a screaming half-volley from 20 yards. "I was so tired I just hit it," he said. United's assistant manager Mark Harrison was not over impressed with Windass's call to go up front.

"We know he wants to play up front. Like all players, he's a selfish sod and is looking for glory if he can, but we need his passing ability from midfield," said Harrison."

Harrison added: "Once we got the first goal the confidence started to flow back and the second goal came at the right time for us. For a change we also had a bit of luck.

"Swindon also had a good win on Saturday so maybe fortunes are turning for both of us.

"There was no way we wanted to go to Swindon still looking for that first win."

Once again United relished being in the spotlight, the game being shown live across the nation on Sky Sports 2. Victory lifted them three places to 19th, just below Swindon, but 3-0 flattered the U's after Pompey outclassed them in the early stages.

Said Windass: "In the first 20 minutes, Portsmouth passed the ball well, but without really hurting us."

Portsmouth boss Alan Ball disagreed. "Scorelines deceive sometimes," he said. "For most of the first half there was only going to be one winner and that was Portsmouth."

United have a serious injury worry going into the Swindon game with key defender Phil Gilchrist pulling his hamstring .

After the game he thought it might be only a strain, but he must still be rated very doubtful for the derby clash.

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