Chris Hackett has been urged not to lose heart at losing his place in Oxford United's team as Graham Rix turns his back, for the time being at least, on wingers.

After the success of Saturday's 3-5-2 formation, which brought the U's a welcome 1-0 victory over Cheltenham Town at the Kassam Stadium, the manager was quick to point out that the Sandford-on-Thames speed merchant is not being forgotten.

In fact, Rix called Hackett his "secret weapon" after bringing him on up front for the last 18 minutes to make use of his pace against Cheltenham's tiring defenders.

And that could become his common role if the new system continues to bring results.

Rix said: "I changed to 3-5-2 because I wanted to get Sam Togwell into the team and I thought it worked well.

"Unfortunately Chrissy Hackett didn't start, but he's like a secret weapon for us.

"We needed a clean sheet and the main thing was the three points.

"I've been saying all week that we're so close (to doing well) and I really think the fans could see that as well."

The irony of Hackett's predicament is clear, though.

Greatly frustrated under previous boss Ian Atkins, who preferred to play with three at the back and wing- backs, the 21-year-old must have thought his big chance had come when Rix arrived.

The new boss pledged a return to 4-4-2 and wingers, using Hackett on one side and new signing Courtney Pitt on the other.

Yet the first time United won last season under Rix was in the final game of the season when he abandoned that philosophy and changed to three at the back.

Results at the start of this season, with just two centre halves, were good. But after a terrible October, Rix decided keeping goals out was the priority.

Although Hackett started the game at Northampton, he was dropped at Macclesfield and failed to win back his starting place for the home clash with Cheltenham.

It would be a surprise if Rix changed the system again for United's successive away games coming up, at Southend this Saturday and then at Rochdale in the first round of the FA Cup.

United's boss believes the psychological impact of stopping the rot is immense.

"It's not the end of the season by any stretch of the imagination, but what a massive step forward that was," he said.

"The players have been right behind me throughout. There are some great pros here and in the last couple of games I felt sorry for them because they'd put in the effort in training and the matches and had no reward.

"For them to stick at it and have belief in me, in each other, and to get a result was fantastic and I'm really chuffed for them."