PEP Clotet was delighted with the way his entire Oxford United side wore Portsmouth down to allow for pacy substitutes to take advantage late on in a 3-0 victory.

Wes Thomas’s poached effort separated the sides in a closely-fought game going into the final stages at the Kassam Stadium.

But the introduction of Jon Obika, Rob Hall and Gino van Kessel off the bench made a big difference – the latter doubling the lead with a superb goal.

Josh Ruffels completed the scoring in the final seconds and Clotet was quick to highlight the work done across the pitch which led to the spaces opening up.

He said: “The whole team worked very hard for the first half and a big part of the second half to wear them down.

“Obviously we have some pace and it was a clear moment to use that.

“Jon, Hally and Gino gave us that, but I’m happy because it was the hard work the whole team put in that made it possible.”

Ruffels’s late strike ensured United top the Sky Bet League One table, ahead of the four other sides who have also won their first two games.

Unsurprisingly, the U’s boss saw it as largely irrelevant.

He said: “I don’t check the table until the last day.

“The fact we are now leading the league is completely accidental.

“It’s about keeping the hard work, improving on the mistakes and being together, so when the bad time comes we are together and we keep the same focus and attitude.

“Then eventually we can have a good prize.”

While Van Kessel made his mark, another of the overseas signings has been hit with a serious knee injury.

It is feared Ivo Pekalski, who joined from Swedish club Halmstad on Tuesday for an undisclosed fee, will be out until the New Year after picking up the problem in training last week.

Clotet said: “It makes me very sad, because no player deserves that.

“He was good physically and has been playing in the league until last Saturday, so he was fit.

“We have to all be together and wish him the best recovery he can possibly have.”