TWO-GOAL forward Chris Maguire is certain Oxford United will be playing in Sky Bet League One next season – if they can replicate the form which saw them tear Crawley Town apart.

The 5-1 victory was an emphatic response to defeat in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final six days earlier and strengthened their position in the automatic promotion places.

It extended the club record away wins in a league season to 13 and their 45 points earned on the road is now the best in English football’s top five divisions.

They now know four victories from the final five games of the campaign will guarantee promotion along with Chris Wilder’s Northampton Town, who sealed their place in League One with a 2-2 home draw against Bristol Rovers.

Maguire came into the side after a sickness bug saw top-scorer Kemar Roofe drop to the bench.

And the Scot made the most of the start, scoring a double – his first league goals for the U’s – to help propel them one step closer to the finishing line.

Maguire is in no doubt the campaign will have a happy ending, providing they can maintain the performance level which proved far too much for Crawley.

He said: “The main focus is the lea-gue and we’ve done it professionally.

“I’m sure everyone related to the club enjoyed the day out (at Wembley), but the main focus is getting into League One and if we keep playing like that, we’ll do it.

“We know it’s in our hands. All we can do is win the games and if we do that nobody can stop us, it’s as simple as that.”

Maguire showed a touch of class to convert Alex MacDonald’s 39th-minute cross, which cancelled out the home side’s opening goal.

And after being tripped in the area in the second half, the 27-year-old doubled his tally from 12 yards.

United had missed six of their previous 11 penalties this season, opening the door for Maguire to take over the duties from the spot.

“I’m confident about taking penalties,” he said.

“I’ve taken them at other clubs I’ve been at and not missed one, so thankfully that run keeps going.

“I’m delighted to get on the scoresheet, it’s been a long time coming.”

Maguire’s only professional hat-trick came for Aberdeen against East Fife in January 2011 and missing out on a repeat at Crawley was his only frustration on an excellent afternoon.

He said: “I was thinking that as soon as I scored the penalty.

“Obviously I was trying to get hold of another match ball, but the main thing was another three points and it’s a bonus to get on the scoresheet.”