IT WAS a huge crowd and a huge performance from Oxford United.

Almost 9,300 spectators were at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday, and they were treated to a polished, professional display from the U’s, who were full value for their win.

From front to back every United player was at the top of his game, and Rovers simply could not cope.

All three goals were well-crafted and nicely finished and five wins from six games says it all – Chris Wilder’s side are buzzing.

James Constable had not found the net since August, but got back on the goal trail in style.

He opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a classy finish.

Simon Heslop broke well from midfield, and played in United’s leading scorer, who ran at Cian Bolger, jinked to his left and fired in a terrific shot that beat the diving Scott Bevan and nestled into the back of the net.

Constable’s second of the game came through the same source six minutes from time.

Heslop again ran at the Rovers defence, fed Constable, and after moving the ball from his right foot to left, hit a toe-poked effort that beat Bevan at his near post.

Sandwiched in between was Peter Leven’s penalty, converted six minutes after half-time.

Andy Haworth, making his first start for United raced though the middle with a positive run, and played a great ball into the path of Rob Hall, who was brought down by Byron Anthony in the box.

The defender was lucky to escape with just a yellow card, but was punished further when, from the penalty, Leven coolly slotted home.

United went into the game on the back of two straight away wins, and made five changes from the team that beat Aldershot in midweek.

Ryan Clarke, Michael Duberry, Paul McLaren and Constable returned, with Haworth the other player to come in – Alfie Potter only fit enough to be named as a substitute.

Both sides started slightly tentatively, and it was Clarke who was United’s hero in the 13th minute when he made a superb stop to deny Rovers’s loan signing Scott Rendell.

A ball from Craig Stanley found Rendell in acres of space 18 yards out. He brought the ball down and got in a shot that Clarke superbly diverted over with a foot.

Soon after, Constable’s classy finish settled down the majority of the big crowd and United took control of the game.

They didn’t create many clear-cut chances, their best efforts coming from Liam Davis, Leven and Haworth.

Leven’s early second-half penalty gave the U’s the important two-goal cushion, and they then produced some top-class football.

Although at times Rovers had a lot of the ball, they never really threatened Clarke’s goal thanks to a really solid defensive display.

And when United had possession, they always looked likely to get a goal.

Rob Hall, Haworth, Potter, Heslop all drove forward at every opportunity, while Leven pulled the strings in midfield and Paul McLaren broke up play well and spread the play with ease.

The back four won headers and made tackles, with the commanding Duberry at one stage going on a geat run forward, which was ended by Bolger’s tackle.

The Rovers man was booked for his challenge, with Duberry producing a spectacular forward somersault which brought a huge cheer from the home fans.

Constable’s second, while not the cleanest strike, was enoughto wrap up the points, and send the home fans crazy.

But just when you thought the cheers couldn’t get any louder, the scoreboard flashed up that Hereford had got a 90th-minute equaliser against Swindon.

Oh the joy!