JOHNNY Mullins was happy Oxford United shed their recent habit of throwing away leads as they won 1-0 at York City.

The U’s found themselves in a familiar position ahead at half-time, thanks to a 34th-minute goal from James Roberts.

But in their previous two league games, at home to Wycombe Wanderers and away at Carlisle United, they had crumbled in the second half, losing 2-1 in both fixtures.

York did all they could after the break to get back in the game, but Mullins, who excelled at centre half, was delighted to avoid an unwanted hat-trick.

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He said: “I think if it had happened again you could have looked at it as a psychological thing, but to be honest we didn’t really think about that.

“In those games we had key things go against us at certain times, but they didn’t (at York).

“I thought we stuck in and defended set-pieces really well, which we had to do because they put a lot of pressure on us and are a big side.

“I’m just thankful we got the three points.

“We’ve learnt from those last two games and hopefully we can continue to do that.”

He added: “I felt we kept them to only a few chances and I thought Clarkey (goalkeeper Ryan Clarke) came out with some great punches.

“He steadied us and then you’ve got Mr (Andy) Whing in there, who gets through so much work that people don’t see.

“As a back four, we’re pleased with a clean sheet and we want to build on that.”

Roberts had the opportunity to ease the tension late on when he went through on goal.

But the teenage striker, whose three goals in the last two games make him United’s second highest scorer this season, fired against the inside of a post.

Mullins said: “I was already off celebrating. I don’t know how it didn’t go in.

“You couldn’t have asked him to do much more and he’ll score the next one, I’m sure of that.

“We see it in training, he gets so many finishes through your legs and you think ‘you lucky so-and-so’, but it’s not luck.

“With his work rate he deserves everything he’s getting at the minute and I’m really pleased for him.

“It was just so unfortunate that second one didn’t go in.

“That’s the way it goes, but ‘1-0, Roberts’ is not bad.”

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