James Constable and Alfie Potter were credited with providing the spark which brought Oxford United a dramatic 2-1 win at Crawley last night.

The U’s snatched a dramatic victory from the jaws of defeat with two goals in the last ten minutes, and their joy was increased by the news that second-placed Steven-age had surprisingly lost 2-1 at Ebbsfleet.

Manager Chris Wilder said: “We were poor in the first half and needed a spark, and Beano and Alfie provided it.

“It was possibly the worst decision I have made in not starting with them, but they came on as substitutes for the second half and gave us the spark that put us on the right track.

“Once again, the character and commitment of the team, and their desire to win the game, was fantastic.”

Adam Chapman equalised on 83 minutes and Constable headed in the winner two minutes into the allotted five minutes of stoppage time.

Wilder’s honest assessment was that Oxford didn’t deserve it, though they might have sealed victory moments earlier from the penalty spot. Constable won the spot-kick, but then missed it.

“I got myself out of jail with the goal after missing the penalty,” said Constable. “I’m just delighted to get such an important goal for us.”

It was his 15th of the campaign.

Wilder added: “I don’t think we deserved to win the game tonight. We were really poor first half, second to everything.

“We knew the opposition would have a right go at it, we almost conceded a second goal and weren’t at the races.

“When you think we missed a penalty to win it, but the players didn’t let that deflate them, they kept driving on to get that second goal.”

United are now five points clear of Stevenage, with a game in hand. A very different scenario to half-time last night when they were losing, and Stevenage were winning.

But there are going to be plenty more twists and turns in the weeks ahead, and the U’s may encounter some more this Saturday when they entertain the conquerors of Stevenage – lowly Ebbsfleet.