Chris Wilder believes his midfield maestro Adam Chapman has come of age.

The on-loan Sheffield United star, who Wilder is hoping to sign at the end of the season, scored the dramatic winner at Burton on Friday, when United produced one of their finest away performances for years.

Playing in a different role just in front of the back four, Chapman came through a scrappy first quarter to run the game, and smashed in a stunning free-kick clincher.

"It just shows you the swings and roundabouts of football," Wilder said.

"Woking last Monday was possibly Chapman's poorest game, but I thought in this game he came of age."

Over the past two months, United players have hit some magnificent free-kick goals in away games and there was huge pressure on Chapman to get it right when he stepped up with the clock running down at the Pirelli Stadium.

"I think it was last-chance saloon," he said. "I knew I had to hit the target or I'd never be taking another free-kick again."

He was soon to regret his exuberant celebration, when he sprinted 50 yards around behind the goal and in front of the Oxford fans, and it was only a teammate's advice that stopped him going into the crowd and getting a second yellow card.

"I was knackered after that run," he chuckled.

"I didn't use my head, did I? There was still 20 minutes left and five minutes later I was catching my breath still."

And he paid tribute to those who helped repell everything Albion threw at them in the last ten minutes when United were down to ten men.

"It was a great, great team performance," he said.