LIAM Gilbert was delighted to see Oxford United Women return to winning ways with a 3-1 victory at MK Dons.

Emily Allen’s penalty and two second-half strikes from Molly Peters secured an important three points for the U’s, who had felt they deserved more from last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Watford.

It lifted United to third in FA Women’s National League Southern Premier, level on points with Crawley Wasps, who they host on Sunday.

Hannah Barrett’s late consolation was the only downside of a productive night and manager Gilbert was thrilled with his side’s display.

He said: “If I’m being really picky, it’s not the greatest to concede right at the end, I feel like we deserved a clean sheet.

“But the girls battled hard, Sunday was a tough game and we wanted a bit more from it, and we went and took it out and did it in the right way tonight.

“We knew it was going to be a really hard-fought affair, but the girls rose to the task and I thought at times we were absolutely superb.”

Allen’s spot-kick was the difference between the sides at the break as she converted from 12 yards after Peters was brought down in the area.

The forward took centre stage after the restart, dispatching Carly Johns’ inch-perfect cross to double the lead before firing home a loose ball to make the game safe.

Peters had also found the net in the loss to Watford and was pleased to play a part in a clinical performance.

She said: “I just thought that I had to get into the box, Liam said to make the runs in.

“They were a hard team to break down, but once we learnt their weaknesses we knew how to play the game from then – the second half showed that.”

United’s game against Crawley is open to supporters.