MICHAEL Appleton was thrilled to see Oxford United display a killer instinct as they hammered Stevenage 5-1 to move second in Sky Bet League Two.

It equalled the club's record away win in the Football League, as they ran their hosts ragged.

United looked dangerous from the start and their pressure told on Stevenage, who had Jamie McCombe and Michael Tonge sent off.

Appleton's side have rarely had a problem creating opportunities this season, but have been guilty of wasting them at times.

So the head coach was delighted to see United convert their dominance into an emphatic result.

He said: "I used the word 'ruthless' at half-time and not letting them off the hook.

"I don't think we've done that enough this year.

"I can't think of a game where the opposition have had more opportunities than us.

"Hopefully that will continue, we will give everyone in the division a good game."

While it was a big victory, the mood in the changing room was satisfaction, rather than jubilation, according to Appleton.

"It's more 'job done'," he said.

"We'll have a day off and then crack on again on Monday."

Tonge was dismissed for diving in over the top of the ball to scythe down John Lundstram, who had a superb game.

Appleton was furious with the challenge at the time and was relieved to see his midfielder escaped a nasty injury.

He said: "John's a little bit sore.

"I thought it was a naughty one, they've got their opinion but I think everyone in the ground saw what a poor tackle it was."