Midfielder Stefan Bailey, who spent a spell on loan to United from QPR two years ago, was the toast of Oxford fans as Ebbsfleet stunned Stevenage in midweek.

Bailey (pictured playing for the U’s), is now on loan to Ebbsfleet from Grays.

He scored both goals as they came from behind at half-time to win 2-1, Yemi Odubade having scored for Stevenage.

Ebbsfleet manager Liam Daish said: “We took the game by the horns in the second half. You find out how good the players are that you are playing against when you get among them.”

And Daish is not daunted by the prospect of visiting league leaders Oxford.

“We’ve just got to concentrate on what we’re doing, and believe in ourselves.”

Daish thinks he can identify one crucial factor in Fleet’s sudden improvement in form – a change of fortune.

“Paul McCarthy and I are both Irish, but we haven’t had the luck of the Irish lately,” he said. “Macca comes in with trinkets and lucky charms, but he puts it all down to the lucky stone in his pocket.”

United manager Chris Wilder said: “I like Liam, he’s a genuine football man.

“He got his team together before, built it up and then had it ripped away from him. I know what that’s like, I’ve been in that situation.

“No matter what cards he’s dealt, he’ll always put out a competitive side, and I’m not surprised they’ve won the last two games.”