Oxford United’s latest goalscorer, Damian Batt, admits one of the first to congratulate him for hitting the winner against Altrincham was striker Matt Green – for saving his blushes!

Green had missed from the penalty spot early in the match, which the U’s went on to win 1-0 thanks to Batt’s 65th-minute blast.

“He said, as soon as I scored the goal, thanks for saving me!” said United’s right back.

“But Greeny picked himself up after the penalty and played really well. A lot of players might have gone into a shell, but he didn’t do that.”

While the U’s were feeling satisfied after their win, and the way other results went their way – which helped them to move eight points clear at the top – their success ratio from penalties this season is something they will want to improve ahead of this Saturday’s FA Cup first-round tie against Yeovil at the Kassam Stad-ium.

They have had three penalties this season, and only Jack Midson has managed to convert, with James Constable also missing, in the 2-0 win over Luton.

Batt says there’s enough confidence in the camp to believe they can upset League One Yeovil.

Betting firm Blue Square make Oxford United 9-4 to win in 90 minutes, with the draw the same price and Yeovil marginally odds-on.

But Batt says: “We go into every game thinking we can win.

“It’s going to be a hard test, but we’ve come on a lot this year all over the park, so it’s going to be a good game.”

What appears to give Oxford a fighting chance of causing an upset is their outstanding defensive rec-ord at the Kassam Stadium this season.

They have conceded only three goals at home in ten league and Cup games, despite having, in Batt and Steve Kinniburgh, full backs who like to bomb forward.

Batt added. “I love to play my game more in the opponents’ half than ours. I get forward a lot, it’s one of my strengths, without neglecting my defensive duties.”

Meanwhile, United’s ticket office will be open late on Tuesday night, until 7pm, due to increasing demand for tickets to Saturday’s Cup tie.

OXFORD United’s under 18s take on Gloucester City in the first round of the FA Youth Cup at Court Place Farm on Tuesday night (7.30pm).

Admission is £5 for adults, £2.50 for under 16s and over 65s.