REACHING the play-offs for a second successive season shows Oxford United are a force in Sky Bet League One, says Karl Robinson.
The U's finish the campaign sixth after they beat Burton Albion 4-0 and leapfrogged Portsmouth, who lost 1-0 at home to Accrington Stanley.
United face Blackpool in the play-off semi-finals on May 18 and 21, as they look to go one better than last season.
Robinson's side lost 2-1 to Wycombe Wanderers in last July's final at Wembley, with a poor start to the current campaign leaving them in the relegation zone in December.
A huge improvement in the second half of 2020/21 - including six wins in their last seven games - saw them sneak into the top six on goal difference ahead of Charlton Athletic.
“What a season – 74 points, that’s Oxford United back in the play-offs," the U's head coach said.
“I’m immensely proud of everybody.
"We’ve been at this for two years and we’re now a big force in League One.
“We can celebrate this, because finishing in the top six is a great achievement."
Mide Shodipo put United ahead after ten minutes, with Matty Taylor doubling the lead before the half-hour mark.
Robinson, who watched from the stands as he began a four-match touchline ban, felt the early goal was important in settling the U's down - and putting pressure on Portsmouth.
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He said: “When I got promoted at MK that was one of the big messages – the earlier you score, the more the other team know they have to score.
"Once you get clarification you have to get a goal, your game-plan slightly changes.
"We managed to keep the pressure on the opposition."
Elliot Lee and Sam Winnall struck after the break, when the only downside was a hamstring injury to Sam Long that left the right back punching the ground in frustration.
Robinson said: “You can imagine that with the euphoria of the news that we’ve had, I haven’t sat down to have a conversation with him (about the severity of the injury)."
The U's boss confirmed James Henry's injury, which also forced him off, was just a knock.
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