Damian Batt believes Oxford United are starting to hit form at just the right time.

The right back was outstanding in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Mansfield at the Kassam Stadium where James Constable’s late double brought Oxford a 16th win in 22 home matches in the league (reduced to 15 out of 21 because of Chester’s demise) – impressive by anyone’s standards.

“We looked solid at the back, in midfield and going forward,” Batt admitted. “It’s just about getting back to where we’ve been.

“I’m pleased with my own performance. I’ve not been too good the last month or two, but I’ve been concentrating and trying to get back to where I was, and feel I’ve played well the last few games now. Just getting there for the play-offs . . . !”

He added: “We’ve been missing the confidence individually and through the team, and I think today we were getting that back.

“Players look confident on the ball, we’re taking players on, and at the back we look solid and everyone looks confident.”

It was United’s 23rd clean sheet of the season.

“I’m pleased with that and I know the other defenders are, “ he said. “Hopefully we can take that into the play-offs and get a few more clean sheets.”

Batt said all teams suffer a dip in form at some stage of the season, and he admitted he had no preference whether it’s Rushden or York that Oxford now get in the play-offs.

“You see the best teams going through spells like we had, even Man Utd.

“The form we’re in today, I don’t mind who we get, just so long as we can keep it going.”

Manager Chris Wilder said: “At the start of the season Damian was excellent, we had Jim Magilton (then QPR manager) and others come to watch him, and he was being talked about in football circles.

“Then he had a dip, but he’s another one accepting responsibility and driving the game forward.”

Wilder also had praise for Adam Chapman, who has taken over the Adam Murray playmaker role in the middle of a 4-3-3 system at home.

“I thought Chapman has grown with another game and been superb,” he said.

“The instance where he tried to take a quick free-kick first half, he wants to make things happen.

“It’s not come off, but supporters understood what he was trying to do and were right behind him, and they were right behind us all today.

“Adam Murray is a real important player and our captain, and he was pivotal in our early-season success, how we played and how we created chances.

“I don’t think it goes unnoticed that in the second half of the season, when we’ve been without him, we’ve missed him more than we thought.

“It was a difficult situation because we always thought he was on the mend, and he was only a week away and only a week away, and we wanted to give him the opportunity to be fit.

“But Chapman’s come in and dictated the game. He’s got good ability and sees a pass, and I was delighted for him that he’s stepped into the game.”

Mark Creighton came off after feeling his back stiffen, and Dannie Bulman was similarly withdrawn after taking a knock, but Wilder is confident neither injury is too serious.