Matt finish puts gloss on plucky U’s victory

KARL Robinson insisted his Oxford United side were full value for the three points as Matty Taylor’s strike sunk ten-man Ipswich.

Taylor’s goal just before the break reignited United’s promotion push and punctured Town’s bid to climb into the top six as they slid down to eighth place.

In added-on time at the end, Town striker Kayden Jackson was given a straight red card for violent conduct after appearing to stamp on Oxford skipper Rob Dickie.

“They gave me everything and I’m proud to manage these players,” said a jubilant Robinson.

“The players showed a great calmness in sticking to the game plan.

“It’s a big step forward, but I’m not getting carried away as it’s always about tomorrow.

“It’s more than 30 years since we got a result here.

“It’s hard to break us down once we get a goal ahead and I apologise to the home fans who call me a cheat, and I’m sure if they went away to a top team they would want to do the same things to get a result.”

Early on, Alan Judge’s through ball to Jackson set him free and his cross was tipped aside by

Oxford goalkeeper Simon Eastwood.

Moments later, Jackson was in a similar position only for his cross to evade two Town attackers.

Luke Woolfenden’s thunderous drive from the edge of the box was blocked and consecutive corners first led to Luke Chambers’ header being deflected over and then Eastwood saved at the feet of Will Keane.

Keane planted a header the wrong side of a post, but the visitors took the lead against the run of play when Taylor struck after James Henry slid the ball across the box for the striker to side-foot home.

Eastwood tipped over a header from Josh Earl, before Jackson was given a straight red card for violent conduct.

Ipswich manager Paul Lambert said: “I counted five really good chances in the first half.

“The stats back it up with the chances we are creating and not taking.

“I’m not going to chastise the guys, they create, they do the right things it’s just that little finishing touch really.

“We have got to keep working hard and hopefully that changes.”