Oxford United matchwinner Tom Craddock is ahead of schedule to match his goals total of last season.

And he says he will be thrilled if he can repeat his 2009-2010 tally.

The former Luton striker fired in his tenth goal of the campaign – his eighth for Oxford to add to two for the Hatters – in the 2-1 win on Saturday.

And afterwards he admitted: “I’m ahead of schedule. I got 24 last season.

“By this time last season I only had eight goals, and I’ve got ten this season.

“If I can get anywhere near last season’s total, I’ll be extremely happy because I think that will help push us up the table.”

The 85th-minute strike came after the ball was worked with precision from right to left, after a move begun by James Constable’s fierce determination to make something happen.

“It started with Beano, and he’s played it in to Josh (Payne), who rolled it to Macca (Steve Maclean),” Craddock said.

“Macca’s such a good player that I knew he was going to find me, I just had to keep it down, which I did, so I’m very pleased.

“I’m obviously delighted for us to continue our run and hopefully we can continue it next week.”

Like manager Chris Wilder, Craddock feels a touch of ruthlessness in front of goal was perhaps the only thing missing on Saturday.

“We knew we’d have to put a shift in, but we knew we’d have to get the ball up to us three strikers and play from there, and I think in parts we did that very well,” he said.

“If you look at the really good teams, when they’re on top, they put teams to the sword and get two, three and four.

“So we’ve got to not rest on our laurels and just push for the second to give us that bit of a cushion.”

But with Jack Midson’s hat-trick at Torquay keeping Constable on the bench, Craddock knows that the attacking players have got to perform.

“We’ve got some excellent strikers,” said Craddock.

“There’s that extra pressure that if you don’t produce, someone else will come in and take your place.”

Meanwhile, with Mark Creighton joining Wrexham on a permanent basis – The Beast has signed an 18-month contract with the Red Dragons – Wilder will be looking for cover at the back.

“We’re going to have to cover Harry Worley and Jake Wright,” he said.

“That’s a partnership that’s vital for us, and it really hurt us when Jake got injured and sent off.

“Now they’re back together again and it’s a blossoming partnership.”

l WITH Stevenage beating Newcastle in the FA Cup, United’s home game against Graham Westley’s side on Saturday, January 29 will have to be postponed.