PROMOTION could be just 90 minutes away for Oxford United today, but Chris Maguire knows they will need to hit top gear to fulfil their end of the deal.

A top three spot would be assured with a game to spare if the U’s win at Carlisle United, plus Bristol Rovers lose at relegated York City and Plymouth Argyle fail to beat hosts Cambridge United.

However, the superior goal difference built by Michael Appleton’s men means they would be up to Sky Bet League One in all but name if Rovers drew and Plymouth won.

The key for United, though, is to win at a Carlisle side whose play-off ambitions came to an end last week.

Maguire knows it is a great position to be in, but rock bottom Dagenham & Redbridge’s win at Plymouth last week was a timely reminder anything can happen.

He said: “You just have to look at the fixture everybody was surprised at last week with a team that’s already relegated beating someone in the play-offs.

“We’re not walking into it thinking ‘we’ve just got to turn up to win’, we know it’s going to be difficult.

“If we were Carlisle we’d want to spoil somebody’s party, but hopefully we have the party.

“If you don’t thrive on things like this as a footballer then you won’t thrive on anything.

“You want to be in this situation rather than sitting in mid-table with nothing to play for and looking forward to going on a plane somewhere.

“Hopefully results go our way and it’s done today, but if we win it’s still in our hands.”

Maguire has had a difficult season where he fell out of favour at Rotherham United, prompting a loan spell with the U’s.

The forward went back to the Millers after the short spell expired, before finally securing a release to sign for Appleton until the end of the season.

It has not been ideal, but the Scot, who will have family and friends making the trip from Glasgow to watch him today, is finding form at an ideal moment.

Having scored twice in the 5-1 win at Crawley Town earlier this month, Maguire produced arguably his best performance for the club in the vital 2-0 win over Hartlepool United a week ago.

He said: “The last couple of weeks I’ve been feeling confident again.

“It’s the right time of the season to do it and hopefully my experience can shine through.”