DES Buckingham says he would rather take the risk of conceding a goal while committing numbers to chase an equaliser, hence his decision to go with two strikers up front in the closing stages at Watford.

Oxford United began the game in the 3-4-2-1 set-up used in the Tuesday night win at home against Hull City, and switched that to a 3-5-2 late on at Vicarage Road.

Will Goodwin replaced Ruben Rodrigues with five minutes to go, but initially Tyler Goodrham had advanced higher up to partner Mark Harris up front in the five minutes or so prior to Goodwin’s introduction.

It was Goodwin’s second appearance of the season, having struggled with an ankle ligaments problem at the beginning of the campaign.

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U’s head coach Buckingham said: “We were 1-0 down, we were chasing the game, and went with two centre forwards in him and Mark Harris up front to try and get ourselves in the best position to get forward.

“You commit another player forward, it leaves you a little bit exposed, but at 1-0, it doesn’t matter to me if you lose 2-0.

“I’d rather try and go after the game. I don’t care whether it’s the Championship or away from home, we won’t back away. It’s good for Will to get on the pitch.”