MICHAEL Appleton held a special meeting with Oxford United’s substitutes on Friday night – and they were clearly listening after playing a vital role in the 4-2 win at Morecambe.

Although Jordan Bowery’s introduction was prompted by a knock to Kemar Roofe, the U’s boss also swapped his wingers by bringing on Zeli Ismail and Callum O’Dowda.

The trio were on by the 64th minute – the earliest Appleton had made all his substitutions since October.

With the sides locked at 1-1, United needed a spark and after Shaun Miller was sent off, the new faces proved vital.

O’Dowda corners led to two goals, while Bowery bagged the fourth himself and Ismail caused problems.

Appleton said: “I had ten or 15 minutes with the substitutes last night and I asked them to make my life more difficult.

“I just wanted to freshen the game up, we certainly wanted to win the game.

“We’ve got some exciting players at the club and they made the difference when they came on.”

Appleton’s only change for the game was in goal, where Sam Slocombe’s errors in the midweek draw with Mansfield Town gave Benji Buchel a chance.

The Liechtenstein international was caught out by Lee Molyneux’s chip, before losing his bearings at a corner to allow Tom Barkhuizen to claim a late consolation.

Appleton had few complaints about the first goal, but admitted the stoppage-time effort dominated the start of his post-match thoughts with the players.

He said: “I don’t mind seeing my goalkeeper coming for things.

“If we can’t win the first ball I want us to win the second one, which would be the disappointing thing.

“The first two minutes in the dressing room was about the goal we conceded at the end.

“I wanted to get the rubbish bit out before congratulating them on winning the game.”