Craig Farrell said Tuesday’s win at Priory Lane showed Oxford United are now a force to be reckoned with away from home as well as at the Kassam Stadium.

The striker said after the game: “I think the lads showed tonight that they’re not just a home team, we can go to places and win.

“We showed real character. It’s not the best of grounds in the league and the conditions were absolutely horrendous, so to come and win, the lads were absolutely delighted, because not many teams would have done that.”

Farrell had been dropped to the bench as Chris Wilder returned to playing with both Yemi Odubade and Lewis Haldane, and with Adam Murray just behind James Constable.

“The manager went with the 4-4-1-1 and I understood that,” he said. “I managed to come on and get a goal. It was a bit of an angle, but I squeezed it in.

“It was one of those where we were in control and we just needed to keep the ball.

“Fortunately for myself, I got a chance and managed to put it away.

“They were one of the worst conditions I’ve ever seen at a football game. Te wind was so strong Billy was kicking towards the dug-out and it was going off the pitch the other side!

“Billy made a couple of good saves, especially from the free-kick . . . he saw that late, it was a fantastic save.”