TOM Newey says Oxford United would go a long way to turning their form around by scoring the first goal when they host Dagenham & Redbridge tomorrow.

Michael Appleton’s men have fallen behind in all six of their league and cup games so far this season.

In total, they have been in front for just three minutes – when Danny Hylton struck a late winner at Bristol City in the Capital One Cup.

By contrast, they have been behind for almost four and a half hours.

Newey knows just how key getting in front will be as United bid to claim their first league win of the campaign.

He said: “I think there’s a statistic that if you score the first goal at this level then 70 per cent of the games you go on to avoid defeat.

“That’s a massive stat and we’re not managing to do it at the moment.

“Yet there’s a lot of encouraging signs, we are creating numerous chances and sooner rather than later it has to turn in our favour.”

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