Matt Green is urging Oxford United's supporters to get behind the players, rather than slag them off, after bagging his fifth goal in only ten starts to earn three precious points at Stafford on Saturday.

o The fans' jeers of the previous weekend turned to cheers as the U's players showed strong character in bouncing back well from the Burton game to chalk up their sixth away win of the season.

It was also the the first victory since Darren Patterson's first away game, at Kidderminster on November 24.

"We need the supporters on our side," Green said.

"They've got to understand that we've got what we've got here, the manager's trying his hardest to get something sorted now for next season as well.

"We want to win every game, and fans want us to win every game, but if we're going to have a little blip like last week, then we're going to have them. But you can't just stop supporting us and the manager after just one game.

"We've got a totally different team now and we need all the support we can get."

Green settled what was not a particularly high-quality game, even for the Blue Square Premier, with a good right-footed finish in the 11th minute, from Luke Foster's pass.

But, dominating the game, United should have won more comfortably.

"I was happy with the finish," Green said.

"It was just a scrappy goal, but I'll take them, and would take 20 of them a season.

"They don't have to be great goals, as long as I get on the scoresheet and as long as the team win, that's what I'm worried about at the moment.

"I had a few other opportunities, but they didn't fall for me. Yet we still won, so I'm happy."

The on-loan Cardiff City striker was also pleased to last the full 90 minutes, after well-documented problems about his knee which have restricted the amount he can train and play each week.

"Fitness has been an issue, but at this level it's going to be," he said.

"There's big centre backs in this league, and I'm running quite a lot. It's no problem and we've got a good coaching staff here that are going to help me through this.

"It's just a slight injury in the knee, nothing serious, it just needs to be managed. People can see I can play and I can score goals.

"I don't think there's anyone on the football pitch that is playing totally injury-free."