OXFORD United climbed to their highest position in more than a year with a precious victory at Coventry City, but Curtis Nelson is not celebrating safety just yet.

The centre back was the unlikely match-winner, barging the ball just over the line from Cameron Brannagan’s 57th-minute corner.

That, plus a gritty defensive display, was enough to secure just United’s second away win in Sky Bet League One on an afternoon where Karl Robinson’s side were the big movers in the gigantic relegation battle.

They leapt six places as a result to 13th – their best position since February 2018.

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But Nelson was quick to point out the more telling statistic was the gap to the drop zone which, while it had extended to four points, is no cause to think the job is over.

“Absolutely no chance,” he said.

“There’s a big game next week which we’re focusing on now – Wycombe at home, we’ll be looking forward to welcoming them and going for the three points, as always.

“It doesn’t matter where we are because the points are still so tight. It’s what the table says after Luton on the last day of the season that counts.”

Victory over a side challenging for the play-offs was a huge result, though.

The only goal was in keeping with the scrappy nature of the game on a testing playing surface and Nelson was unable to fully explain how the ball had squeezed over the line.

He said: “I don’t know, I don’t care – it went in and that’s all that matters.

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“The clean sheet is a lot more pleasing than scoring. I couldn’t care less about scoring goals.

“It’s nice to score every so often, but the clean sheet was more pleasing.

“I should score more, but usually I end up with their biggest man marking me, so sometimes I play dummy for a few set plays and take their biggest man out and rely on someone else going in to take charge.”

In pictures: Photo gallery from United's win

The win was United’s fourth in six games, ensuring they have hit their best form of the campaign just when they needed it.

Nelson said: “When it does come along you have to enjoy it.

“But you also have to stay grounded and make sure you don’t get carried away with yourself and you can take it into next week.

“There were bits and pieces we have to improve, but other than that we’ve got to be pleased with the win.

“At this time of the year it’s all about getting results.”