WES Thomas admitted he felt good about Oxford United’s chances of beating Plymouth Argyle well before Ryan Ledson’s 15th-minute opener.

The visitors had already carved out two clear chances before Thomas was brought down for a penalty by Ryan Edwards, who was sent off.

And Thomas was encouraged by the way Plymouth had given their opponents room.

He said: “To be honest I was a bit surprised in the first few minutes that they were willing to give us space in behind.

“We exploited that and it’s where the penalty came from.

“After that they started to drop and allowed us at the back to have the ball more.

“It stopped us having space in behind, but we worked the ball well and were able to get in behind.”

United’s top-scorer bagged the all-important second goal early in the second half with a classic goalscorer’s finish.

He was in the right place to pounce on a rebound from Joe Rothwell’s shot and take his tally for the season to seven.

It came two minutes after firing a great chance against the woodwork, but Thomas was not troubled by the miss.

He said: “I always knew there were going to be opportunities.

“They were down to ten men and it’s a big pitch, so it was going to be hard for them to stop the space for us to go in behind or in to feet.

“It was just about staying focused and not worrying about missing opportunities.

“Rothwell had the shot, the keeper parried it and I just had to get there first and make sure it was on target.”