League One (England)

Joe Taylor’s second goal in as many games was added to by Reeco Hackett-Fairchild’s late penalty to secure all three points for the visitors, who extended their unbeaten run to eight matches.

Defeat in Moore’s first home game at the helm – since replacing the sacked Andy Crosby – stretches Vale’s winless streak to nine games and leaves them three points from safety.

But the 49-year-old remains confident his team have what it takes to beat the drop.

“What I’ve learnt with them is they’re a good squad, they’ve got the capabilities of keeping this club up in this division and that’s how we’re going about it,” Moore said.

“What they have to do is take care of the small details in terms of their game and focus on their strengths in terms of bringing them to the team and the club on a daily basis and in games.

“And then moving forward together and stopping it (the winless run), making sure that we’re solid, we’re not giving away anything basic or elementary.

“They’re good pros. They’ve proven they’re good pros because they’ve come through too many hurdles to be at this level by mistake.

“So it’s just regrouping and digging in. There’s everything to play for.

“I’ve said to the boys, what we have to do is respond in the right manner to go again on Tuesday (at home to Fleetwood).

“They’re as frustrated as we are, they really are, because there’s a real care with them in there and that’s a wonderful sign.”

Lincoln were gifted a second-minute lead as Taylor pounced on Nathan Smith’s loose pass from a free-kick and, with Connor Ripley out of his goal, guided the ball into an empty net from just outside the area.

The game was put to bed in stoppage-time as Hackett-Fairchild sent Ripley the wrong way from the penalty spot after substitute Dylan Duffy was brought down inside the box by Dan Jones.

“We knew on this size of pitch – and with it being Darren’s first game – it was going to be scrappy and we’d have to dig really deep,” Lincoln manager Michael Skubala said.

“And I think what I’m really pleased about today is we saw the other part of the game that we know these young lads can have, which is digging deep and being ruthless.

“I think it’s difficult because when you score so early, the natural instinct is to sit and come off teams and not give up your lead.

“I thought we weathered (the storm) a bit to half-time and then when we got in at half-time we could tidy up a different shape, how we pressed them and how we stopped them coming on so much.

“I think to a man (we did that) – even the subs coming on there and stopping them.

“And we knew they were going to throw everything at us as the game went on and go big, and I think really in the end, we did enough to win the game.”

Moore, appointed as Vale manager on February 13, had failed to win any of his opening eight games in charge but Loft’s 83rd-minute effort earned a vital three points.

“I am delighted,” Moore said, reflecting on a performance which pulled the Valiants to within three points of safety after a first win of 2024.

“It has been a long time coming and we have been close but getting it over the line today, to get those three points, at a time when we really need it, which was today, was excellent.”

Loft was able to pounce late on to fire into the roof of the net from close range when Ethan Chislett saw his shot come back off the post.

“Lofty scoring was brilliant,” added Moore. “We are pleased for him because he never let the one in the first half affect him and I thought his all-round game was huge for the team.

“He gave us a target man up front for us to hit and he drove the team forwards so for him to get the goal in the manner that he did earned us a huge three points.”

Vale began to dominate in the second half, particularly after the introduction of Tom Sang and Moore knows that more of the same will be required in the remainder of the season.

“There were some huge performances out there. Collectively I thought the team were good and a good understanding with them. In and out of possession we were good and driven on by an away support that was excellent today. We are going to need all of that for the rest of the season.”

Burton boss Martin Paterson could only watch on as his side suffered a fifth straight home league defeat, a run in which they have only scored once and dragged them firmly into the relegation scrap.

“Today leaves us in a real dogfight,” Paterson said, with his side 19th in Sky Bet League One.

“At the moment we are missing so many opportunities. I can’t stress enough to the players the magnitude of what is going on. At the moment we look like a group that just think they are going to be OK.

“We need to put the results and performances in. It was always going to be a tight game today and yet again we have come out on the other end of it and it is not good enough.

“We need performances, especially at home, and the worrying thing is I thought they [Vale] wanted it more in all facets. Running, tackling, second contacts, I thought they shaded us.

“We need to show them that it is not good enough and it is unusual for a Burton side to be outfought and outrun but they were today.”

Both managers meet on Monday for the all-South Yorkshire clash at Wembley, where the winners will celebrate promotion to the Championship.

Wednesday progressed to the final after staging a thrilling second-leg comeback against Peterborough, overturning a 4-0 aggregate deficit, while Barnsley earned their place in less dramatic circumstances by squeezing past Bolton 2-1 after two legs.

Moore was full of praise for the job Duff has done.

“I’ve known Duffers a little while now over the course of our footballing careers and now into management at the level that we are,” Moore told a pre-match press conference.

“Am I surprised with the work he’s done at Barnsley? No.

“Why am I not surprised? Because he’s thorough, he’s meticulous with his work, he’s a worker, he sees the game, he understands the game and he’s very astute with his approach in the game in terms of how he sets his team up and understanding the strengths and weaknesses that his team has.

“So if you embody that with where he’s at, it shows the level of consistency, he’s got wonderful leadership qualities, he’s clear and methodical with his approach and he’s clear with his views.

“He’s done a magnificent job to go in there and steady the ship and not only steady the ship, but give the whole place belief in a continuation.

“Credit to him and the work he’s done this season, it really has been a tremendous bit of work.

“As managers we can appreciate the work that we’ve done over the course of the season and I’ve got to say to him he’s done a magnificent job, but he knows it because I told him myself after we played them.

“Credit to him, we go head-to-head again at Wembley on Monday and our two teams will battle it out to try and get that final spot that’ll take the team into the Championship.”

Wednesday finished the season third in League One with 96 points, while Barnsley secured a fourth-placed finish 10 points behind them.

Duff suggested in his press conference that the Tykes are going into the clash as underdogs, but Moore insisted Monday’s game has no favourites.

“He’s going to see it as that, but I’m too grey to suggest that,” the Owls boss added.

“What we have got is a final, we’ve got two teams competing in the final, two teams from Yorkshire, two local teams that see and know enough about each other.

“What we will do is focus on the game. Will I predict anybody as the favourite? No because there never are in a final.

“So I can blow that one out the water and say let’s just focus on the game.

“We approach the game as we have done all season with detail, with precision, with respect and we look to get about our work in the right manner.”

Wednesday reached the final in extraordinary circumstances after pulling off a stunning comeback against Peterborough in the second leg of their semi-final clash.

Moore’s side rallied to win 5-3 on penalties after overturning a four-goal first-leg deficit to win 5-1 after extra time, but the Wednesday boss insists their attention is now firmly on Monday’s final.

“(It’s been) a normal day’s training, normal day’s work as it’s been throughout the week and that’s been that really,” Moore told a pre-match press conference.

“It was a good night for everyone connected to the football club but once we got back into training, it really was that game is over and finished with now and it’s focusing on training, getting ourselves right and getting mentally and physically right for the game on Monday.

“Let’s not beat about the bush, we don’t even talk about the comeback because the comeback’s gone. That was then, it’s gone.

“When we got back in training we just focused on the next game up, which is the final.

“The comeback, talking about that is down to the media world doing that because of the interest that it created, but we can’t do anything about that.

“The only plan we had was to work hard in the game, we went in with a game plan and it was nice to come out the other end and see that game plan come through.

“Afterwards, I leave the talking to you guys, but internally within the football club that’s gone and we’re just focusing on the final and our preparations have been about that.”

There are no fresh injuries for Wednesday, with Marvin Johnson and Dominic Iorfa both available to play, but Moore also hinted that George Byers, who has been sidelined since March, could potentially feature at Wembley.

“George is doing really well, I suppose the supporters will have to see if he is involved on Monday, but I wouldn’t want to say anything too much now,” Moore said.

Lee Gregory is also ready to go for the final after a club appeal to find his protective face mask was answered on Sunday.

The striker lost the specially fitted mask during celebrations at Hillsborough after the second leg, but it was retrieved following a social-media shout-out and Moore thanked the fan who returned it.

“Thank you to the supporter for bringing it back for us!” Moore said.

“That’s very kind because it just meant Lee could train all week, which he has done, whereas before, without it, we would’ve had to have had another one made and he might missed a few days of training.

“The mere fact he’s been able to train all week has been really good, so thank you to the supporter for answering that rallying cry and bringing it back.”

The Owls, who finished third in the table, ended the regular season with four consecutive wins.

“We have pushed for 46 games to get here and now we want continue that momentum,” said Moore.

“We come into the play-offs with good momentum, and good form and that is what you want.

“But even with that good form, we want to continue to get better, and that is the consistent message at this football club.”

Sunday’s 2-0 win at Barnsley enabled Peterborough to leapfrog Derby into sixth place with a helping hand from Wednesday, who beat the Rams 1-0.

Moore, however, will hope that is as far as his side’s charity extends, having seen them finish 19 points clear of their semi-final opponents and just two adrift of second-placed Ipswich.

Wednesday, who lost out to Sunderland at the same stage last season, will be favourites to progress.

“This is what we sign up for,” added Moore. “When you come to Sheffield Wednesday, you have to embrace the expectancy and we have certainly done that.

“We know the passion the city holds for this football club. I live in the city, I feel it, I know it, I enjoy it, and I understand it.

“The players certainly want to be remembered, and the only way to do that is with success.”

Peterborough’s last-gasp surge into the play-offs represents a triumph for persistence.

Manager Darren Ferguson, who resigned in February last year with the club slipping towards the Championship exit, returned for a fourth spell in charge in January following successor Grant McCann’s departure.

Ferguson said: “This is not a time to take a step back. We are three wins away from a great achievement.

“We were back to work straight after celebrating the Barnsley win and we will be ready for a very big challenge.”

The Owls reached Monday’s final in dramatic circumstances following a remarkable comeback against Peterborough in the semi-final, which saw them overturn a four-goal deficit in the first leg to then win 5-3 on penalties.

Their victory sets up a clash against Barnsley at Wembley with promotion to the Championship the prize and Moore is looking forward to the occasion between the South Yorkshire rivals.

He told a pre-match press conference: “Having two clubs so close together, it’s a Wembley final, two teams from Yorkshire competing for that final spot to get up into the Championship, it bodes well for a wonderful game.

“We’re just focusing on the game, focusing on the here and now and we’re looking forward to it.

“Like I said to the players, we’re to embrace this moment, embrace this time, because you’re embracing the moment in time not on your own.

“We have a multitude – an army – of fans with us as well as the staff, the players…it’s a oneness that we’ve always maintained throughout the season and that’s what we’ll see on Monday.”

Moore also recognised how special it is to play at Wembley, but stressed that he is preparing for it like “a normal game”.

“These times now are to be enjoyed, embraced, remember these times because they are special times,” he added.

“I said the beautiful thing about this for the players is you don’t stand there alone, I don’t have this as a lone figure as a manager because I feel I have a multitude that is with me.

“Players, staff, we’re all in it together, so we’re all approaching this together.

“My message has always been clear…to embrace this moment, enjoy the moment and within the club internally we’ve been planning and preparing as we would for a normal game.

“The game will quickly be upon us on Monday where we’ll get to compete and contest.”

The Tykes earned a league double over the Owls in the regular season for the first time since 2009, winning 2-0 at Hillsborough in September before securing a 4-2 win in the reverse fixture in March.

Despite Barnsley’s winning record against them this season, Moore is only focused on what is at stake on Monday.

“For me now what’s gone on has gone on before, we forget those things now and we focus on the here and now, the present.

“That’s what it is because the reason why the game’s being played at Wembley, it’s a final, the arena’s different, the atmosphere’s different, the mental side is different so it’s the here and now moment to deal with the games.”

Josh Windass won the tie with the last action of 120-plus exhausting minutes as he emulated his dad Dean 15 years ago by bagging a dream play-off final winner.

Moore, whose Owls team return to the second tier after two seasons in League One, said: “This is a special moment – it’s a delightful moment for everyone at the club.

“It means so much to me to have taken such a great club back into the Championship.

“This shows just what can be achieved when a club comes together.

“I’m delighted for Josh. We’ve missed him quite a lot through injuries this season, but he’s got that quality and that instinct to get into the right place to score in those situations.

“It’s not just about Josh, though, it’s been a brilliant joint effort.

“Sometimes it’s about split hairs, and this was a big game at the biggest stadium, but we’ve got over the line when so much was at stake.

“It’s the stuff dreams are made of – it’s been a titanic game and we’ve won it.

“Despite having the extra man our boys were wilting a bit in extra time, but they’ve dug deep.

“Both teams gave it everything, it was incredible stuff, but this is so big for the football club and we have to go and enjoy being back in a Championship league that is so exciting.”

Chances proved to be at a premium in the opening 45 minutes.

Barnsley went closest as both Adam Phillips and Nicky Cadden fluffed decent opportunities.

Barnsley’s cause was then hindered significantly by Phillips’ 49th minute red card following a lunge on Lee Gregory, but they more than held their own as the scores remained goalless after 90 minutes.

However, their resistance, and their hearts, were finally broken with the last action of the game, leaving boss Michael Duff to reflect with pride on what had been an energy-sapping 120 minutes for his players.

Duff said: “Football is a cruel game, and frustration is the over-riding emotion I’m feeling right now.

“My players gave absolutely everything, they did everything they could and so I’m gutted for all of them.

“We’ve come out on the wrong end of a couple of decisions today, and that just adds to the frustration.

“With 11 men we would have grown more into the game, and although there’s no guarantee we would even have gone on to win on penalties, I think that would have been a fairer way to lose.

“Credit to Sheffield Wednesday and Darren Moore. They got 96 points in the regular season, but I don’t think they were the better team today.”

Duff then expanded on the Phillips red card decision and also a potential penalty award that went begging.

“Adam’s was a mis-timed tackle and a bit foolish,” added Duff.

“But there was no intent there so it was maybe a yellow card at worst.

“I’ve had plenty of text messages since the game saying it was a harsh red card, and many of them from people I totally trust in the game.

“We’ve also not had a penalty all season, and we’ve been denied what should have been one in the biggest game of all.”

Windass junior headed home in stoppage time of extra time in the Sky Bet League One play-off final as the Owls snatched a 1-0 victory over 10-man neighbours Barnsley and a place in the Championship.

The goal had echoes of Dean Windass’ own play-off heroics, when he struck a stunning winner against Bristol City to send Hull into the Premier League in 2008.

“It’s absolutely incredible,” Dean told Sky Sports. “I said this morning he would get the winner.

“I can’t believe he actually headed it to be honest – because he loves his hair too much – but I’m the proudest man in the world. There are no words.”

The game had looked to be heading to a penalty shoot-out – just as the Championship and League Two finals had over the weekend – when Windass pounced.

“We played so bad, I didn’t think it was going to come,” Josh Windass said. “The standard of the game was awful.

“I was just trying to do something but nothing was coming. Luckily, last minute, it came off.”

The dramatic victory finally earned Wednesday reward for what has been a remarkable campaign.

Darren Moore’s side missed out on automatic promotion despite accumulating 96 points and they then needed to fight back to reach Wembley after losing the first leg of their play-off semi-final against Peterborough 4-0.

Josh Windass said: “We only had ourselves to blame. We messed it up.

“We wanted to win the league so coming here was, not a failure, but we knew we had to get it done.

“Luckily today we managed to – somehow – pull it off.”

Warne is hoping to sign the 34-year-old former Newcastle striker, with top scorer James Collins set to miss most of the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Derby had no recognised striker to call on and it showed as they struggled to create chances against a well-organised side.

They did not manage a shot at goal until the 68th minute and had to wait until the 90th for Louie Sibley’s winner.

Warne admits he is trying to bring in Gayle with Collins facing a lengthy spell out after damaging knee ligaments in the midweek win at Exeter.

The Derby boss said: “He’s going to be out for months. No one trains better than James and he’ll give himself the best chance to get back before the end of the season but we won’t see him at least before mid-April I wouldn’t have thought.

“So we are trying to get an out-of-contract striker in, I’ve got a list of two names and I’ve gone for my first one. We’ve done all the paperwork and the EFL are working with us to make it happen.

“It is Dwight Gayle, he’s a free agent, he’s got another couple of League One clubs chasing him and we are doing everything we can to get him in the building.”

Derby’s win, coupled with Bolton’s draw with lowly Charlton, moved the Rams three points clear in the battle for second.

On the game, Warne added: “I’m really proud of the lads, I knew it was going to be a roll-your-sleeves-up type of performance. To win games consistently takes real heart and the dressing room definitely have that.”

Stevenage’s winless run reached four matches as they slipped three points adrift of the top six.

Manager Steve Evans, who this week signed a new deal with the club, said: “It’s hard to take. I think a draw would have been the right result. There were very limited chances in both boxes.

“We should have had a clear penalty in the first half for handball and then the goal comes from Aaron Pressley losing his shape defensively. He’s an attacker but we have a plan. He switches off and two passes later it’s in the net.

“I thought we had a good shape, for long periods we were the better team, but if you switch off in the first minute or the last you concede.”

The Rams have won six of their last eight away matches and have moved into the second automatic promotion spot.

Former Luton, Southampton and Stoke boss Nathan Jones, set to be appointed as Michael Appleton’s successor by the Addicks, watched from an executive box as the south-east London club’s winless league run extended to 12 matches.

Mendez-Laing put the Rams in front in the 31st minute, finishing confidently after Macaulay Gillesphey’s pass was intercepted by Max Bird.

Mendez-Laing, who had been off the pitch just before that receiving treatment, was forced off seven minutes later with an injury and replaced by Tom Barkhuizen.

Tyreeq Bakinson drove over from Tayo Edun’s cutback but otherwise the hosts struggled to create chances in a first half that was disrupted by stoppages.

Charlton substitute Daniel Kanu had a header tipped over by Derby goalkeeper Josh Vickers in the 58th minute.

Bird weaved his way into the box before sliding his shot wide of the post shortly after the hour mark, but one goal proved enough for the Rams.

The Rams have won four out of the five league games they have played on the road.

They should have taken the lead twice in the first half through Kane Wilson, who on his first start for the club headed wide and fired off target both from close range.

Joe Wildsmith then made a smart save to deny the in-form Blackpool striker Jordan Rhodes.

Smith opened the scoring nine minutes into the second half, lashing Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s cutback into the roof of the net.

The visitors doubled their lead through Collins, but Kenny Dougall’s header handed Blackpool a lifeline two minutes later.

The Seasiders should have been level through Rhodes, but he headed against the bar from 10 yards out before substitute Tom Barkhuizen had one cleared off the line at the other end.

Derby made sure of victory when they launched a counter-attack and Barkhuizen teed up Waghorn for a simple finish.

The 27-year-old former Lincoln and Rotherham keeper confirmed on social media that his wife Laura died on Tuesday.

Alongside a picture of the couple on their wedding day, Vickers, who started his career at Arsenal, wrote: “I have written and unwritten this so many times and still can’t find the right words to say and don’t know if I ever will.

“On Tuesday evening my wife lost her long battle against cancer…

“Laura is the strongest, bravest and most loving person I have ever met. Even though everything she was going through, she continued to smile, never letting anything get in the way of having a good time and making a lifetime of memories.

“We have cried, laughed and danced our way through some tough times.

“I will cherish every moment we spent together from the first time we met to the moment you peacefully passed. I know that you will be looking down on me and continuing to inspire me every day.

“Thank you to everyone that has supported myself and both families through this incredibly difficult time. Truly fortunate to have the most amazing family and friends!

“I Love You Always & Forever.”

Vickers’ Derby team-mates showed their support by holding up his shirt following their 2-0 League One victory over Carlisle on Saturday, while the Rams and his former clubs posted messages of condolence.

Cheltenham were the better side for much of the game, but a Max Bird free-kick and Collins’s 18th goal of the season earned County the points.

The visitors had a great chance in the third minute, but Liam Sercombe fired straight at Josh Vickers after George Lloyd set him up.

Derby were poor in the first half as Cheltenham hustled them into mistakes and would have been behind if the visitors had been more clinical in the final third.

Cheltenham got the goal they merited five minutes into the second half when Sercombe’s shot from 12 yards was deflected past Vickers.

But Derby equalised in the 60th minute after Louie Sibley was fouled just outside the area and Bird curled the free-kick into the top left corner of Luke Southwood’s net.

The game was in the balance until Nathaniel Mendez-Laing got down the right and crossed for Collins to acrobatically volley past Southwood from 12 yards.

Paul Warne’s side were on top throughout but could not turn possession into goals and have now won only once at home in the league.

Derby should have gone ahead in the second minute when Nathaniel Mendez-Laing broke clear and played in Tom Barkhuizen, but he shot straight at Will Mannion.

Barkhuizen had a goalbound shot blocked as the Rams dominated before the game stopped in the 31st minute, all those in the stadium applauding for Derby substitute goalkeeper Josh Vickers, whose wife Laura recently died of cancer.

Cambridge were relieved to get to half-time still level, although their resistance should have been broken in the 66th minute, only for Martyn Waghorn’s unmarked header from eight yards to bounce over.

Paul Digby had Cambridge’s first shot on target in the 74th minute, but Derby continued to press without unlocking an organised and determined defence as the visitors held on for a hard-earned point.

Louie Sibley scored in the first half before O’s defender Brandon Cooper was dismissed and then Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Tom Barkhuizen added one apiece in the second period.

Playing with energy and enthusiasm, the Rams had squandered a couple of excellent chances before they took the lead after 34 minutes through Sibley.

He collected a pass and bore down unchallenged on goal before delivering a sublime drive from 22 yards that nestled low into the bottom corner of the net.

And the O’s misery was compounded nine minutes later when Cooper was sent off by referee David Rock after elbowing James Collins as the pair clashed just inside the Orient half.

Derby doubled their lead two minutes into the second half when skipper Conor Hourihane picked out the unmarked Mendez-Laing, who had the simplest of chances to net his sixth goal of the campaign.

Totally in control, the visitors added to their tally when Mendez-Laing fed substitute Barkhuizen a simple opportunity after the pair had broken out quickly following an Orient corner.

Smyth’s first goal in English football was an unstoppable right-footed strike from about 30 yards out which flew into the top right corner of Ashley Maynard-Brewer’s net as the U’s came from behind to collect a first victory on the road since November 11.

“That’s a wonderful strike,” said Buckingham. “That’s his first start for the club and his first goal for the club – for it to be the winning goal and come as it did, it is a very pleasing way for him individually but also us as a team.

“We’re missing quite a few players at the moment and we had to change our system to adapt. We even lost a player from our starting line-up this morning. We had to change this morning in terms of personnel.

“Second half it felt like there was a goal coming – I didn’t know from where. I’d take it from two yards or I’d take it from 30 yards if it was going to be the winner.

“It will be a hard act for him (Smyth) to follow up. Our midfield has contributed quite heavily to our goalscoring tally.

“I’m pleased also for Mark Harris, he’s worked really hard in the last 10-15 games and not quite had the rub of the green in terms of finishing.

“That will put him in a good space and hopefully relieve a little bit of pressure that I’m sure was building.”

Chem Campbell had put Charlton in front after five minutes, converting after Oxford goalkeeper James Beadle only parried Corey Blackett-Taylor’s shot.

Oxford made it 1-1 through striker Harris, who met Finley Stevens’ cross at the near post in the 22nd minute.

Smyth, signed from Dungannon Swifts in January 2022, then produced his rocket to ensure the visitors climbed one place to fifth in the standings.

The Addicks have lost their last three in a row in a six-match winless run that has killed off any lingering hopes they could make a push for the top six.

Head coach Michael Appleton was missing his three main strikers with top-scorer Alfie May, Chuks Aneke and Miles Leaburn all ruled out due to injuries.

The Addicks were booed off at the end and asked if he understood the reaction, Appleton said: “Yeah, but there has to be perspective as well – which there never is in football.

“We’re not complete idiots. You win and everything is fantastic, you lose and everything is not fantastic – that’s the business we’re in and I get that.

“We’ve got nine injuries and probably at least six or seven are first-team regulars. In the first seven or eight games we never lost and we looked like we were going to roll teams over three or four-nil.

“I can’t ask any more of the players. They gave me everything they could – probably 60-65 minutes on the front foot.

“I didn’t feel they were particularly going to score (in the second half). You don’t expect to concede a goal from nearly 40 yards.”

The U’s bounced back well from their surprise 2-0 defeat at Cheltenham on Saturday and denied Bolton a ninth successive win.

“I think I’ll settle for that, on the balance of play,” Buckingham said afterwards.

“They’d scored seven goals at the weekend, they’re a very good team and they’ll be up amongst it at the end, with us, I’m sure.

“But we’d asked for a reaction after Saturday and I’m very pleased with what I’ve just seen this evening.

“We created a lot of chances, certainly in the first half, which we couldn’t capitalise on.

“But I thought we deserved at least a point.

“That point may turn out to be an important point at the end of the season, you have to take points off these sorts of teams.

“We created good goalscoring chances which we couldn’t take. But they will come. As long as we’re creating, that’s the most important thing.

“The goalkeepers on both sides earned their money tonight, but I thought our back four, in front of James Beadle, performed extremely well.

“Very pleased to come away with a clean sheet and very pleased to come away with my first point as the manager, and that it puts us in a solid position to move on.

“Elliott Moore is a very good leader off the field and it was good to have him back in the team, and you see the difference when he’s in the side.

“He’s a calming presence and he gives us different ways of playing out from the back.”

Oxford stay third in the table, just outside the automatic promotion places.

Bolton manager Ian Evatt was happy with his team’s showing, as they equalled a 123-year-old club record of seven consecutive clean sheets.

And they remain the League One leaders.

Evatt said: “We’ve stayed top, which is great, but it’s not about where we are now, it’s about the process and the performance.

“Tonight I think we’ve shown what a good team we are, especially in the second half.

“We dominated the second half and really should have won the game – but it happens.

“There are no negatives to take from tonight. We’ll park it now and move on to the next one.

“They had two chances but other than those we had possession, it was just working out where the space was.

“Their strategy was quite clever, but after we figured it out it seemed only a matter of time before we would get that goal.

“It shows the nature of football that on Saturday we scored seven, and tonight we probably created as many chances and opportunities and have not scored.

“But the performance was excellent.

“The clean sheets record is nice but it’s a team game. Nathan Baxter has made some good saves but also our back three were excellent.

“And we defend from the front and when you have control of the ball, it means the opposition can’t score.

“The dominance we had in the second half is what pleased me most. We just couldn’t finish it off with a goal.”

The Portuguese forward struck in the 25th minute, cutting in from the right to shoot past Max Crocombe following Cameron Brannagan’s cross-field pass.

Rodrigues made it two seven minutes from time, firing high into the net from 15 yards, before McGuane struck a brilliant long-range effort in the 89th minute to complete a comfortable win.

Gary Mills is in caretaker charge of Burton after Dino Maamria’s departure and he saw his team work hard but create little.

Josh Murphy missed an excellent early chance for the home side, heading a Rodrigues cross over from five yards.

Rodrigues headed into Crocombe’s hands, Murphy blazed over, and Stan Mills shot past the post from close range.

It was even more one-sided in the second half and Brannagan struck a brilliant 30-yard drive that came back off the post.

In one scramble, the U’s had four efforts blocked on the line before Mark Harris headed wide, and Crocombe also made a string of saves.

The U’s had the match in the bag by half-time as Cameron Brannagan, Mark Harris and Owen Dale put them three up by the break, with Harris adding his second seven minutes from time.

Buckingham said: “That probably was the best 90 minutes we’ve had, with everything, since I’ve been here.

“Actually, we have played as well as that the last couple of games, just not scored the goals.

“It was very good, to play like that, score four goals and keep a clean sheet was just about perfect.

“But the main thing was to get the win to make sure we’re on track to be where we want to be.

“We showed the type of football we want to play and getting that vital second goal was so important for us today.

“We can’t get carried away with it – we now need to take this on to Burton in the next match, but certainly the clean sheet is very pleasing, especially for Jamie Cumming and the back four.

“The two goals for Mark Harris is massive – it takes him into double figures. And though I don’t know what target he had set himself for the season, he must be getting close to it.

“It was important he played 90 minutes for us with Will Goodwin not ready for today, and I’m delighted he’s got two goals.

“It’s really good too to see Josh Murphy seemingly enjoying his football, and showing consistently what a good player he is.

“Wingers’ end products sometimes lets them down, but Josh has really worked on that, and is reaping the rewards.

“I am delighted for our fans here that we have put on that showing at home. We’ve played very well away but it’s nice to do it at home in front of over 8,000 supporters.”

Fleetwood Town manager Charlie Adam was furious with his team’s showing, which leaves them six points off safety with just five games to go..

He said: “I’m embarrassed. That’s as bad as it’s been.

“There’s no hiding away from it – that was an embarrassment.

“This club has been in this division for a long, long time.

“People need to run hard, fight for the jersey, fight for the town and fight for these supporters.

“That was not there today in my team and I’m not going to accept it.

“I’ve told the lads in the dressing room that it’s unacceptable.

“Our supporters travelled a long, long way and paid a lot of money to come here, and we produced that sort of performance.

“It won’t happen from now until the end of the season.

“We didn’t run hard enough today and we didn’t get close enough to people.

“We allowed Oxford to dominate the game.

“Putting in the hard work and the hard yards, really wanting to fight – I didn’t see that today and it’s hugely disappointing.”

Neill Collins’ side broke the deadlock in the 21st minute when Liam Roberts fizzed a ball into John McAtee, who knocked it behind for Cole to curl home.

Burton had to wait 42 minutes for their first chance of the game. After a defensive mix-up, Thomas Hamer had space to shoot inside the box, but Roberts dived to make the save.

Barnsley came close to doubling their lead in the 54th minute. McAtee passed to Cadden on the left, who pulled back for Herbie Kane, but his effort was blocked.

Burton had an opportunity to pull one back 10 minutes later when Beryly Lubala found Mark Helm inside the box, but his low strike was blocked well by Jamie McCart.

The Tykes grabbed their second in the 68th minute. Adam Phillips snuck a ball through to substitute Corey O’Keeffe on the right, who swept in a low ball for Cole to slot home.