Billy Turley says that he has never enjoyed training as much as the last two weeks - and the players are taking their high spirits into matches.

The Oxford United goalkeeper, who had only two saves of note to make in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Southend in the FA Cup, says that mood around the club is buzzing.

And that, he stressed, is not just Darren Patterson's promotion to manager, but the introduction of Mickey Lewis as his No 2.

"The training over the last fortnight has just been great," Turley said. "It is intense, but also great fun.

"The difference now is that we seem to be able to take the mood from training into matches."

Turley felt the U's were good value for their draw against the League One side, and if anything, were disappointed not to claim victory.

"We defended very well - the four in front of me all had great games," he said.

"I always said that we needed to get a run of games with the same faces in there and we've been lucky enough to have that.

"Fozzie (Luke Foster) and Quinny are forging a great partnership in the centre, while young James Clarke looks like he has played 50 games at right back, not two. And Alex Jeannin did well too - when he kept the ball on the pitch!"