Manager Chris Wilder declared his delight as his promoted Oxford United side got off the mark on their return to League football at Burton on Saturday.

“We're off and running,” he said after the 0-0 draw.

United, who came up from the Blue Square Premier after winning the play-offs in May, did not look out of place in their opening npower League Two match, in which chances were at a premium.

“The concentration, the application and the desire was first class, but it’s all about us getting results on a regular basis, home and away,” Wilder said.

“I was pleased with the performance first half. Burton have got dangerous players at the top of the pitch.

“They’ve had the better chances, maybe those better chances self-inflicted on our part where we’ve made poor decisions defensively, and I think we had the lion’s share of the possession.

“But when we got into the final third, the quality wasn’t as good as it should be, in terms of clear goalscoring opportunities.

“As I said to the players, there was a lot on this game, a lot of talk after Wembley, a lot of talk about being back in the Football League around the club and around the area.

“We just had to make sure they focused on getting a result.

“I'll take performances and results like that. It’s not a defeatist attitude, but we’re in the Football League now, we’ve got to be realistic.”

Striker Philliskirk is not able to play in United’s Carling Cup first-round tie at home to Bristol Rovers tomorrow, because his parent club, Chelsea, have not given permision.

But the U’s may have Alfie Potter available again. He missed the Burton game because of illness.

l OXFORD United mascot Olly the Ox stormed to victory in the Football Furlong mascot race at Windsor Racecourse yesterday.