KARL Robinson was delighted to tick off a key target as Oxford United cast off a poor first-half performance to beat MK Dons.

The visitors were in complete control before the break, but the U’s returned from the dressing room a different animal and Billy Bodin’s late strike secure a priceless 1-0 win.

United are still outsiders to make the Sky Bet League One play-offs, although the gap is now just two points with two games to go.

They are aiming to repeat last season’s trick of snatching a top-six spot late on, having sneaked in with 74 points last year.

RATINGS: Every Oxford United player marked out of 10

The win over MK took the U’s to 75 points and Robinson was pleased to beat their 2020/21 tally, even though a play-off place is far from guaranteed.

United’s head coach said: “We can see a glimmer of hope, and in this game if you hold on to that you just don’t know.

“That’s why this is the greatest game in the world, because of how things can change so quickly.

“Our fans and players stuck together in the second half, off the back of the worst first half by a long way which was unacceptable.

“It’s a great win and we’ve beaten last year’s target. Every team’s objective is to beat last year.

“75 is generally enough year-in, year-out to get in the play-offs.

“If I’d offered you 75 points with two games to go on the first day of the season you would have laughed at me.”

MK were comfortably the better side in the opening 45 minutes, with United fortunate to go in level at the break.

The visitors had more than 60 per cent of possession and moved the ball around with ease, while the U’s made sloppy mistakes and did not register a single shot.

WATCH: Highlights of last night's game

United pressed higher after the break and forced their opponents into errors, with Bodin’s winner coming after Matty Taylor and Ryan Williams hunted down MK captain Dean Lewington.

Robinson thought his players made it too easy for the visitors before the interval, especially considering the quality of a side sitting third in League One.

He said: “We got caught on two or three rotations and they were as good as we’ve seen.

“We were too cautious, we had three at the back with one player and that caused a numerical overload in the central and defensive third.

“The worst thing to do against these teams is to go late and get caught between not being there and going late.

“We felt we had the physicality with Ciaron Brown and Longy on the diag(onal pass), so why be embarrassed about changing the way you play sometimes?”

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The change in tempo was evident from the start of the second half and Taylor had a golden chance within four minutes of the restart.

MK centre back Harry Darling left a backpass without realising the striker was lurking, but goalkeeper Jamie Cumming was out quickly to save.

Taylor continued to work hard and put the ball on a plate for Bodin to score the winner, earning high praise from his manager.

“He gave me everything he had,” Robinson said.

“With that work ethic and his goal tally he’s the best in the league.”