Chris Wilder could not hide his delight at Tom Craddock’s brilliant goal at Hereford on Saturday.

The Oxford United manager was over the moon that his deadline-day signing got off the mark so early as the U’s made it back-to-back victories.

Wilder hailed the team’s 2-0 win at Hereford, which lifted them to seventh in npower League Two, as a complete performance.

“I thought we looked a proper side,” he said afterwards.

“We looked strong at the back, passed it well in midfield, and up front we caused them problems.

“It’s hard to win matches – you have to do a lot of things right and we’ve won two on the bounce now, so we’re going in the right direction.

“I was delighted with Tommy’s goal,” he added. “It was absolute class.

“It’s sometimes difficult for forwards away from home, but his movement to come inside, and then the finish to bend it into the top corner, was first class.

“It’s always strikers to get off early and I’m made up that he’s done that.”

Craddock’s goal, which followed a first-half opener from James Constable – his sixth of the season – brought the U’s their first away win of the season.

And Wilder was able to give the former Luton striker some more valuable action, which will only help his match fitness.

“He’s hardly played any football so needs game time,” he said, explaining why he had no intention of taking Craddock off early.

“He’s possibly a month behind everybody else, and he has to play catch-up.

“I thought he got stronger the longer the game went on and as the game opened up.

“Yes, he gives the ball away now and again – they all do – but we want them to be positive and he’s certainly one who will do that.”