Oxford United's unlikely matchwinner Barry Quinn was refusing last night to let anyone take away his goal.

The former Republic of Ireland international bagged his first-ever goal . . . at any of the clubs he has played for.

It came in the 60th minute and earned United a superb 1-0 victory over Rochdale at Spotland - their third victory in succession.

Quinn admitted afterwards: "I know it took a deflection, but it was only a slight deflection.

"I'm not having anyone take that goal away from me. It was my first ever, in more than 150 games, but then I did play quite a bit before at right back. OK, that's not much of an excuse, I know!"

Quinn added: "I practise them all week, to deflect off people in front of me!"

He is the eighth different United player to have found the net this season, and with the leading scorers only on two goals, he's catching them up.

"I was saying to the lads afterwards I'm half the joint top scorer!

"It was probably our best performance of the season. We were professional. They're a good side with a lot of attacking threat, but we handled them well and everyone did his job.

"To come up here against a decent side and stop them playing was an achievement in itself."

United have now chalked up successive victories at Darlington, against Bury and at Rochdale to climb to eighth in the table.

Said boss Brian Talbot: "That was how I like my teams to play away from home.

"All credit to the players. We knew how Dale would play because they're quite physical and they like to get in behind you, but they couldn't get in behind us.

"I think they were surprised that I changed to four at the back instead of three, but it was down to the players. Workrate-wise and effort-wise, they were superb.

"Rochdale were the top goalscorers in the league but you wouldn't have been able to tell that tonight.

"Performances and results like this will give us confidence. But let's not get carried away."