Oxford United’s new front-line striker Craig Farrell admits he was taken aback by the club’s supporters on his debut – and he’s convinced the club is on the up.

The 26-year-old, who joined from York City, helped the U’s to a battling 2-1 win over Lewes which pushed them to within five points of the play-off places.

Although Oxford were expected to beat their lowly opponents and the winning goal, from centre back Luke Foster, did not come until eight minutes from time, Farrell felt the home crowd were outstanding in their patience and their backing.

“The fans were brilliant, especially in the second half,” he said.

“It’s a team going places. I’d spoken to a lot of players before making the move and they all thought that, and it’s also the best stadium in the league.”

The captures of Farrell and 27-year-old Simon Clist this week have given manager Chris Wilder the balance he felt he needed in the squad, which was relatively young and inexperienced.

York boss Martin Foyle was prepared to let Farrell go out on loan until the rest of the season to help his career, after the striker had a bit of a nightmare in his first game for the new manager, missing three one-on-ones.

But Farrell has a good goalscoring record overall, netting ten times in his first season with the Minstermen.

He said: “I’d always been first-choice at York, but with the new manager coming in, he has his own ideas.

“When he told me Oxford were interested, it was an opportunity I just couldn’t turn down.”

And he already knew a couple of the U’s players.

“I knew Luke (Foster) from when he was at York, and I was with Adam Murray at Carlisle. We’ve got some great quality in this team.”

Ironically, Farrell could lose his starting place in United’s next match, at Kettering this Saturday, because 15-goal James Constable returns from his one-match ban. However, Wilder may decide to go with both strikers.

Meanwhile,Lewis Haldane has been called into the England C squad to face Malta Under 21s later this month, while teammate Craig Nelthorpe is on stand-by.

The game is at the Hibernians Stadium in Paola on Tuesday, February 17