CHRIS Maguire praised Oxford United’s mental strength for recovering from a setback to claim a point against Charlton Athletic.

The deadlock was broken in a tight, entertaining game when Phil Edwards handled in the penalty area.

Despite the full back appearing to be pushed, United’s protests fell on deaf ears and Johnnie Jackson put the Addicks in front early in the second half.

But the home side found another gear when they really needed it and Maguire finished off a flowing counter-attack to earn the 1-1 draw which extended United’s unbeaten home start to the Sky Bet League One season to five games.

The Scot said: “Phil said it was a push – some you get, some you don’t.

“We showed good resilience to come back against a good side who were in the Championship last season and won’t be too far away come the end of the season.

“We maybe thought we could’ve won it, but maybe they could’ve as well, so I think it was a fair result.

“I think people coming here know they have a tough task against us.

“We got it down and played. When we went 1-0 down we didn’t let our heads drop. We kept going and got the goal back.”

When the chance came midway through the second half, the 27-year-old was thankful to substitute Kane Hemmings for picking the right pass.

“Kane has got it and managed to put the perfect ball in that I can hit first-time,” Maguire said.

“You always know if you go across the goalkeeper you’ve got a chance and thankfully it found the bottom corner.”

It was the former Aberdeen apprentice’s fifth goal, comfortably the best start to a campaign in his career.

The tally also matches his haul for the whole of last season and puts him well on track to hit his personal target, which he is keeping to himself.

He said: “I know myself and I don’t want to put it out there.

“People might say I’ve not had a good season if I start shouting, but let’s just say I’m well on track.

“I think I’m the top scorer (for United), so long may that continue.”