CHRIS Maguire paid tribute to the remarkable turnout from Oxford United’s away support for the crucial 2-0 win at Carlisle United.

The Scot put the visitors in front with an early penalty, but the game was not safe until Liam Sercombe doubled the lead 17 minutes from time.

While results elsewhere meant the victory was not enough to seal automatic promotion from Sky Bet League Two, the U’s know it will be guaranteed with a win on the final day at home to Wycombe Wanderers this Saturday.

The 550-mile round trip was their longest of the campaign, but the visitors were backed by 2,238 fans at Brunton Park.

United’s players could hear them from the dressing room before going out for the warm-up and Maguire, whose former clubs include Aberdeen, Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday, was amazed at the sea of yellow.

He said: “It was great support, they’ve been like that away all season and hopefully we can repay them next week at home.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play at some big clubs who have big followings, but for a League Two team the support here is unbelievable.

“We’re delighted. We know we’ve got one game left and we know it’s in our hands.

“If we get three points next week that’s it, we’ve done it.”

Penalties have been an Achilles heel for Oxford United this season, but they appear to have finally found a reliable taker.

Maguire scored from 12 yards against Crawley Town last month and was on target again to keep his perfect career record intact.

He said: “It goes on and I’m proud of that – long may it continue.

“I think you saw how calm I was when I took the penalty, there were no nerves shown.

“With how big the game is you might get people with a few nerves, but the type of player I am, I thrive on that.

“If you feel pressure there’s always that doubt in your head about missing.

“The keeper might have done his homework and tried to read me from the last penalty – that’s the side he went and I put it the other way.

“I was delighted to see it hit the back of the net, but more importantly it was about the three points.”