Oxford boss Chris Wilder said the display against Bristol Rovers, especially the second 45 minutes, told him a lot about his team.

What normally happens when a team has a fantastic first half against higher division opponents is that they ease off in the second half, as the stunned ‘bigger team’ mounts a concerted response.

But instead of it staying 4-1, or Rovers pulling it back to 4-2, the U’s kept it going . . . and won the second half 2-0 as well to complete a sensational drubbing.

“The thing I wanted to do was learn about my side tonight,” said Wilder. “I’ve seen it as a player and been involved as a manager, and we’ve been here before.

“I had the hump last year when we played Eastbourne and we were three or four up at half-time.

“I wanted to keep the hammer down and get into good habits. Was it me and they knew I’d have the hump? Well, that’s fair enough, it’s my job to do that.

“It’s quite easy to go and sit in the directors’ box and put my feet up. But we keep driving forward and they know they need to keep those standards up.

“That for me was the most pleasing aspect of it . . . that the game didn’t just die a death, it was full tilt right to the end.

“It showed in the performance. I don’t think we ever let them in, maybe there was one chance at the end where Damian (Batt) got caught out, but I can’t remember any other opportunity they had to score in the second half.”