CHRIS Maguire revelled in comparisons with Kemar Roofe after becoming Oxford United’s match-winner once again with a stoppage-time strike.

The forward curled home a 23-yard free-kick to claim the only goal of the game against in-form Bradford City.

It was his seventh goal of the season and the Scot has netted the decisive effort in three of United’s five victories in Sky Bet League One.

Afterwards head coach Michael Appleton compared him to Roofe, who so often came up with a moment of magic last season.

He said: “You need one or two players in your team when it’s tight to win you games.

“Roofey did that for us many times last year and so far this season Maguire’s done that for us.”

They are big shoes to fill, but United’s No 10 had no problem with people looking to him for inspiration.

“Not at all, I’m a confident player,” he said.

“I think people know I have a bit of confidence or cockiness, but I think I do it in the right manner.”

“If people want to look at me like that it won’t add any pressure because I expect it from myself anyway.”

Maguire netted from a set-piece during pre-season against Leicester City, but this was the first time he had been successful for the U’s with a free-kick in a competitive game.

And it took one look at Bantams goalkeeper Colin Doyle to make up his mind on where to place the effort.

He said: “The keeper is six-foot plus, he’s a giant.

“No disrespect, but people that size take about a week to get down.

“I went his side because I thought he might take a step and with him being so big he might not move his feet.

“Everybody is saying it got a nick – I don’t think I’m getting the credit!

“I’m sure when people see it later on they will realise it went straight in.”

It came after Billy Clarke had fired a first-half penalty against the crossbar, following another decision against Phil Edwards which left United feeling aggrieved.

Maguire, who had a penalty appeal turned down after the break, said: “The game’s getting a bit soft, isn’t it?

“Now you just need to put a pinkie on somebody and they go down.”

OXFORD United will be ball No 34 when the draw for the first round of the Emirates FA Cup takes place at 7pm tonight on BBC 2.