ELLIOTT Moore returned from injury to put in a strong individual performance as Oxford United battled to a point at The Valley.

The centre back had missed United’s last five matches in Sky Bet League One with a thigh issue but returned to lead the backline at Charlton Athletic.

Moore made vital interceptions from a Jack Payne cross and a through ball from Scott Fraser as the U’s largely dominated the opening 45 minutes.

“I think we played very well, we were very solid in the first half,” said Moore.

“The game got stretched in the second half and we made a few changes, but I thought we dealt with it very well.

“From a defensive point of view, we stuck at it and put in some good blocks, and I thought we created a lot more.”

On his return from injury and a tactical switch which saw United boss Karl Robinson ditch a three-man defence in favour of a 4-2-3-1 set-up, Moore said: “I enjoyed it, I’ve missed it with a very frustrating injury, one that I didn’t know was going to be this long but it’s all good now and I’m 100 per cent fit.

“Hopefully we can continue getting a few points on the board.

“This is our shape, as a team we know this shape very well.

“We know how to play it, we know how to work from it on and off the ball, so I’m glad to be back playing it and hopefully we can continue this.

“We’re not overly excited about a point but it’s good to come here and put in a good performance, not lose and take a point, and go onto the next game.”

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Simon Eastwood was called into action in stoppage time, to make himself big and deny George Dobson as the hosts countered in a one-on-one situation.

Moore was full of praise for his goalkeeper in keeping out Dobson.

“Easty made a great save at the end so they might think they should’ve won it,” said Moore.

“We had a few good chances that we should be taking and hopefully they’ll come in the next few games.

“It’s not a nice feeling seeing that one-on-one but Easty saving that is brilliant from him and we know what he can do with positions like that, so credit to him.”

Oxford Mail: Simon Eastwood denies George Dobson in stoppage time. Picture: Steve EdmundsSimon Eastwood denies George Dobson in stoppage time. Picture: Steve Edmunds

A special strike from Marcus Browne had given United the lead in the 11th minute, and the winger was another player who Moore applauded.

“That’s why we put in a shift at the back, to allow the players like that to do what Marcus does,” he said.

“He’s a brilliant player, we know what he can do, everyone knows when you give him that space, that’s what happens.

“Everyone needs to put in a shift, everyone needs to help each other out whether that’s attacking or defensively.”

The protracted change of ownership at United was finally completed on Tuesday yet Moore insisted that events off the pitch had no impact on the players.

“It hasn’t been a distraction to me and I don’t think it has been to the lads,” he said.

“Our main focus this week was to get in a good week of training and get focussed for this game.

“I think the performance showed we had a good week.

“Now that everything’s signed and sorted, it’s good to kick on and see what happens.”