A TACTICAL masterstroke from manager Malcolm Shotton helped bring Oxford United a magnificent fourth away win of the season at Manchester City on Saturday.

Shotton designated Martin Gray to do a man-marking job on England's Peter Beardsley, and the midielder carried out the role to perfection.

Goals towards the end of each half from Joey Beauchamp - his 15th of the season - and 18-year-old Jamie Cook - his first ever - earned United a famous 2-0 victory.

It was the second year running United had won at Maine Road and while it greatly boosted their survival hopes, it plunged City back into trouble.

But, just as with their win at West Brom earlier in the season when Phil Whelan broke his leg, victory came at a cost.

Shotton said: "It was a great win and, looking at the other results, it was important we did win.

"Cook's only just 18 and I thought he worked hard. He's got good pace and good ability and took his goal well.

"If the younger lads at the club show what ability they've got, I won't hesitate to play them, and I've told them that."

But it was Gray's stifling of Beardsley which proved key to a triumph that lifted the U's to 14th in the table - their best league position since September.

They are now just two points behind arch rivals Swindon Town.

"I know Peter and I know what he's capable of," said Shotton. "If you let him, he'll hammer you. "We thought that if you stopped Beardsley playing you would cut off their supply. We prepared right, the atmosphere in the dressing room was right and, we're not a bad team, you know.

"Martin did a good job but I don't want to single out any individuals. I thought we defended as a team very well and that's now three clean sheets in a row."

Gray said: "I was just asked to do a man-to-man job on Beardsley all game so I didn't really play or get that involved in the game but I was over the moon because it went well. I don't think he had a kick all game.

"I'd do anything to win the game for Oxford."

"He never caused us a problem yet in the last two games he'd been City's best player.

"At the end I said to him 'that's not what I wanted to do' and he just patted me on the back and said 'all right lad, get on with it'. He's a good pro."

It was a remarkable win for United considering they have have had to sell three of their best players this season and their squad is not even half the size of Manchester City who have 54 professionals.

"When you look at the squad we were playing, this is a multi-million pound club," said Gray.

"Just the set-up alone gives you a buzz, and to come here and win in front of 28,000 . . . we'll probably stop at every pub down the M40 on the way home!"

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