JORDAN Bowery saluted Oxford United’s character as they delivered an impressive response with a 4-1 victory at Exeter City last night.

The U’s were under pressure after two successive defeats, but their injury-hit squad bounced back in style.

Bowery scored twice to double his tally for the club and was thrilled with the way the side responded after a bad week raised questions about their promotion credentials.

The striker said: “It feels fantastic, it’s a great win and great spirit to bounce back from two defeats.

“People on the outside were maybe thinking we were going to bottle it, but that’s not us.”

United went ahead through Chey Dunkley and Bowery struck either side of half-time, before Alex MacDonald added a fourth.

  • Highlights from Oxford United's victory, via the club's official Youtube channel

On the day United signed George Waring to increase their attacking options, Bowery was thrilled.

He said: “I made a run behind and I knew (John Lundstram) was going to find me.

“I just had to be composed and try to slot it in the corner.

“It couldn’t have been better to come right in front of the fans, they were brilliant coming a long way on a cold Tuesday night.

“The second one was a great cross by Chrissy (Maguire) and it went in from my head and shoulder.”

U’s boss Michael Appleton had a fitness crisis on his hands earlier in the week and although some players recovered from knocks, he still had to send out players who in an ideal world needed a rest.

The one player not available was top scorer Kemar Roofe, who needed a break due to an ongoing groin injury.

It opened the door for Callum O’Dowda to start and the winger was delighted to play his part in a vastly improved display from Saturday’s 2-1 defeat.

He said: “The Accrington game was up there with one of the worst we’ve had this season, but with that win under our belt the confidence will be really good.

“The intensity was at a different level.”

Head coach Michael Appleton agreed: "All I asked from the players was to give a good reaction to what was a disappointing performance on Saturday.

"We weren’t hiding from that, we asked for a reaction and we got it.

"I thought for the first hour it was a really good performance, then it was almost a 'job done' after that.

"A lot of the players did ever so well."

He added: "I was a little bit annoyed if I'm being honest in the dressing room afterwards because of us switching off after 60 minutes.

"But that's very harsh of me, because the job was done.

"I just don't like conceding goals, we've conceded quite a few of late and I wanted to keep a clean sheet.

"I'll take the four goals as well, though."