OXFORD United are leaving the opposition gasping this season – with their exceptional fitness levels.

And it’s one reason why FA Cup opponents Yeovil could be in for a testing afternoon when they visit the Kassam Stadium on Saturday, November 7.

Part-timers Thurrock were run ragged in the second half last Saturday when the U’s stepped on the gas – their superior fitness, as well as creativity, told.

But it’s not just against the part-timers that this has happened.

Even in United’s last league game, when they came from behind to earn a valuable 1-1 draw at promotion rivals York thanks to a late equaliser from Simon Clist, they finished the stronger team.

Assistant manager Mickey Lewis said: “We look a fit team. We keep going right to the end, I think we’ve showed that all season.”

Midfielder Clist, one of the players who covers an enormous amount of ground each match, felt a touch aggrieved that he wasn’t credited with United’s second goal in their 2-0 win over Thurrock.

It was credited as an own goal by Thurrock sub Lee Flynn, because the ball came off him last, but Clist insisted: “I’d got a touch before that and it was going in.”