MALCOLM Shotton hailed Matt Murphy as a quality finisher after he struck two splendid goals to put Oxford United in control of their Worthington Cup tie with Luton.

Striker Murphy scored with a spectacular diving header and then a dipping 22-yard volley as the U's won 3-2 at Kenilworth Road last night.

"Matt's two finishes were top class," said Shotton.

"In a two-legged affair you want to keep it tight. Then we got two cracking goals - two magnificent goals by Murphy.

"He's worked very, very hard since I've been at the club. Fair play to him, he's taken his chance and he's in the driving seat."

The Hatters fought back to level with two second-half penalties, but substitute Simon Weatherstone had the last laugh with a winner two minutes from the end.

The second leg is at the Manor Ground next Tuesday and United will be firm favourites now to progress to the potentially lucrative second round.

"We scored three good goals and gave away two stupid goals but it gives us a good chance to progress," Shotton said. "We came in happy at 2-0 up and all you expect is professional, disciplined play in the second half. Now without being over the top I thought the referee wasn't with us for a lot of the time. I thought the first penalty was never a penalty. "The lads have worked hard, stuck at their task and got a tremendous goal by super sub Weatherstone." It was the first occasion since Shotton has been in charge that he has used three defenders and wing backs, but it gave him the chance to use several more of his squad and it paid off.

"We came to Luton to do a job. We felt that we could hurt them down the sides. It started off very much like that with Banger and Beauchamp linking up with Matt and I thought that hurt them quite a bit.

"If the balls had been slightly better in to Matt and then laid off and then the movement was good, I thought we could have had a couple more goals."

United's players strongly disputed the spot kicks.

Shotton said: "We were 2-0 and cruising then gave away two stupid penalties. I thought the referee was wrong with the first penalty that was given. It's difficult from ground level but from where I sat the second one looked a penalty yet the lads said their No 9 dived."

United were without Kevin Francis and Steve Davis and they decided against risking new signing Andy Thomson.

"Andy took a knock on Saturday on his ankle, not the same place where he did it pre-season, but it was the same ankle," United's manager stated. Simon Weatherstone' was thrilled after only the second goal of his senior career - his first coming at Nottingham Forest.

"I'm chuffed with the goal but more pleased for the team," he said. "We're in a better position for the second leg and that's more important to me than the fact that I scored.

"When I went on the manager told me to work hard and if I had a chance to seize it. I had one chance and fortunately I took it."

Shotton's assistant Mark Harrison said: "We changed the system and we changed a couple of players so we were a bit disjointed at times but we've come away with a 3-2 win which gives us a springboard for our home game.

"We felt two penalties were harsh, but at the same time we're not happy with ourselves. We felt that we didn't do ourselves justice."

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