SIMON Eastwood was thankful he trusted his instincts to make a vital late save which earned Oxford United their first away point of the season at Milton Keynes Dons.

The two goalkeepers stood out in the goalless draw – Dons stopper David Martin was named man-of-the-match by the home sponsors, while at the other end Eastwood continued his excellent form.

United’s No 1 had a busy afternoon, but his real moment to shine came in the 92nd minute.

Dons striker Kieran Agard got clean through and looked poised to break United hearts, but his shot was blocked by the onrushing goalkeeper’s legs.

“It was a good time because everyone remembers the save,” the former Blackburn Rovers stopper said.

“They are quite hard saves because you think ‘do you stay on your line and try to save the shot, or do you charge at him?’

“It’s just instinct and luckily it paid off – it’s mad how it’s all about that split-second decision.

“Some you get right, some you get wrong, but luckily it didn’t cost us.”

Although the visitors were unable to give their near-4,000 travelling contingent a victory, United’s No 1 felt there were plenty of reasons to be cheerful.

Having come away empty-handed from their previous away trips in Sky Bet League One, taking a share of the spoils at a strong Dons side was very welcome.

Eastwood said: “I think it’s a big point because we hadn’t got anything away from home, so to come to a side who will be pushing for promotion at the end of the season – it’s good for us.

“We try to look at the positives.

“We’ve had two wins in the last two games and then if you’d told us we’ll go away and keep a clean sheet in a draw, we wouldn’t have been overly disappointed.”

He added: “I think we created a couple more chances than they did, but we’re quite happy to come to a side tipped for promotion and get a point.”

United were backed by their biggest travelling contingent for a league game for a generation, to which Eastwood paid tribute.

He said: “It looked like we had more fans than the home team.

“It shows how good the support at Oxford is and the lads are grateful for it. It definitely spurs the lads on to do well.”