CHRIS Wilder reflected on a job well done as Oxford United climbed to seventh in npower League Two on Saturday.
United’s professional 2-0 victory at Barnet was their second away success in a week – both wins coming with clean sheets.
Superb goals from Simon Heslop and Liam Davis proved the difference at Underhill, where even a late red card for captain Jake Wright did not detract from a strong U’s display.
United boss Wilder said: “It was a solid, professional away performance at a difficult place to come.
“We had some good players against us that put it in the box, so we had to defend and be solid in that aspect.
“When we got it, we passed and moved it and played well.
“We limited the opposition to a few chances, created our own chances and when we did, we took them.”
Oxford struck twice against the run of play in the first half and Wilder was pleased they kept pressing on after the break.
On another day, it could have been 4-0, with James Constable and substitute Deane Smalley having shots well saved by the aptly-named Dean Brill.
However, Bees skipper Mark Hughes hit a post late on and Izale McLeod had a close-range effort superbly smothered by Oxford keeper Ryan Clarke.
Wilder said: “We didn’t sit back in the second half and we have got players that can be a threat.
“Their keeper has made an unbelievable save to keep Beano’s (Constable) shot out.
“It would have been nice to have got a third, but we can’t be greedy. It’s another really big three points for us and we look forward to next week.”
He added: “We are nine games in and are evolving as a team. Today was another step in the right direction.
“Even though we went down to ten men and they rattled the bar late on, I always felt that we were deserving of the victory.”
United’s next match is a home clash with Accrington Stanley at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday.
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