ANDY Whing said Oxford United drew inspiration for their victory over Northampton Town from the performance of the younger players in midweek.

The midfielder made his comeback on Saturday following a three-game suspension as the U’s won 2-0.

He had completed his ban last week by watching from the stands as a youthful line-up took on Portsmouth in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Although they eventually lost 2-1, the 29-year-old was lifted by the style the rookies showed in the first half.

Whing thought the side showed the same qualities on Saturday, which earned them maximum points.

“We wanted to start with a good tempo, like the young lads did on Tuesday night, they were terrific,” he said.

“I was here and was very impressed in the first half with the energy everyone had.

“We talked about that before the game and that’s what we wanted to replicate.

“We had a bit more experience in the team and we were very professional in the second half as we were two-up.

“I thought the game management was very good, as it has been on our travels.

“A clean sheet is fantastic for us at home and we are really positive going forward.”

Whing’s return made United a much tougher nut to crack through the middle.

But as well as breaking up play, the former Coventry City trainee showed his creative side, reading a flick from Dave Kitson to play in James Constable for the first goal.

“Obviously me and Kits are on the same wavelength from his Premier League days, I’m just running off his back heels,” he joked.

“Beano took the goal very well and did brilliantly for the second.”

Despite a lack of good results at home, Whing admitted to being surprised by some murmurs of discontent in the stands, but he hoped that the performance had answered the critics.

He said: “It was bubbly at the training ground, but it just seemed on the outside there was a bit of doom and gloom.”