Chris Wilder saluted the character of his Oxford United side as they bounced back in style by registering their biggest away win of the season last night.

In appalling conditions, with a gale-force wind made worse by driving rain, the U's dug deep to win 3-0 at Eastbourne thanks to goals from Adam Murray, Simon Clist and Craig Farrell.

It keeps alive their hopes of reaching the play-offs, and restored self-belief.

Wilder said afterwards: "I've played a few football games in my career, but I've never played in conditions like that. They were incredible.

"Full credit to the players, a lot of questions were asked after last Saturday, but I think they answered them.

"Those conditions are such a leveller, and that's no disrespect to Eastbourne, and I thought it favoured the opposition."

Wilder's decision to replace Damian Batt with Eddie Hutchinson midway through the first half worked a treat, with ‘Hutch’ having an outstanding game in the middle.

"There was a slight doubt regarding Batt before the game because of a bruised foot and when we saw the conditions, we felt we wanted to get Hutch onto the pitch as soon as possible.

"He was magnificent. He's maybe been much maligned in the past, and perhaps doesn't have a long-term future at the football club, but I couldn't fault his attitude at all."

Clist's goal was his first for Oxford, and his manager said: "I thought in his first two games he was good, on Saturday he was maybe a bit quiet. But he'll be a good player for us. He took the second goal superbly well."

Director and former manager Jim Smith said: "Billy Turley was my man of the match, he made two fantastic saves .

"We showed tremendous character in such conditions. Whether the game should have been played in them is another matter."

l UNITED’S Blue Square Premier fixture away to Rushden & Diamonds has been switched from Saturday, March 21 to Tuesday, March 24 (7.45).