United boss Darren Patterson's decision to give Phil Trainer a breather paid off handsomely against Crawley.

The midfielder struck United's first goal in 607 minutes with a terrific left-footed drive for his fourth goal of the campaign and, like keeper Billy Turley, he too had just returned to the side.

Patterson said: "I'm so pleased that he got that goal because we rested him for the Aldershot game and it paid dividends.

"The effort and commitment from everyone was fantastic. We'd mentioned that today was the start of our season because with three games in quick succession in the league, if we could do well, it would keep us in and around it.

"It's a big win, not only for the points, but for morale and confidence."

Trainer was delighted with his winner. He said: "Very often when we've been getting near the box, we've been having an extra pass rather than shooting. It came to me and I caught it sweet."

And Turley admitted the former Moor Green man had been urged to have a pot at goal whenever he could.

"The gaffer's been on to him in the last couple of weeks to hit the ball, to just strike the ball and he's taken the advice on board.

OXFORD United's Blue Square Premier game at Salisbury City has been brought forward from Tuesday, February 12 to Saturday, January 12 because both clubs are out of the FA Trophy.