PHIL Trainer struck either side of half-time as Oxford United sentenced bottom club Stafford to a fourth straight Blue Square defeat.

They were Trainer's first league goals for Oxford since his summer move from Moor Green, and the second one was a beauty.

Picking up a loose ball in space 25 yards out, he took one touch and then rifled a left-footed shot into the top left corner.

The midfielder had already sent the U's into the dressing room at half-time in a good mood by firing in an angled left-footed drive moments before the break after good work by Michael Standing and Alex Jeannin.

And after his spectacular second goal, Stafford's heads dropped, and goalkeeper Danny Alcock must have realised then that he was going to be in for a busy afternoon.

Indeed, had it not been for the keeper's agility, Rangers could have been on the end of a real hiding.

Three times in quick succession Alcock saved from Yemi Odubade, and the United striker should have done better with at least one of them.

When half-time substitute Danny Rose put Odubade through, he shot first-time only to see the keeper save with his legs.

Sixty seconds later, after unselfish play by Eddie Anaclet, Odubade scuffed his shot in front of goal andAlcock was there again.

Odubade did then connect sweetly with a sharp left-footed shot on the turn, yet Alcock got down smartly to save the low blast.

As Oxford kept coming forward in waves, Trainer missed two reasonable chances to complete his hat-trick, hitting one effort across the face of goal, and blazing over with another when a cross rolled right across the six-yard box in front of Alcock.

Jim Smith replaced the hard-working Gary Twigg with Marvin Robinson 20 minutes from time, and Robinson should have turned in No 3 after excellent work from Odubade, but couldn't apply the finishing touch.

Yet out of nothing, and very much against the run of play, Stafford pulled a goal back to give Oxford some late anxious moments.

Michael Corcoran was harshly adjudged to have handled, and with the home fans berating the referee for the decision, Craig McAughtrie drilled a low free-kick shot through the wall past a static Billy Turley.

Oxford Utd: Turley, Corcoran, Quinn, Day, Anaclet, Hutchinson, Standing (Rose h-t), Trainer, Jeannin, Odubade (Duffy 84), Twigg (Robinson 71). Subs not used: Tardif, Foster.

Att: 4,617