Oxford United's goalkeeping coach Alan Judge believes Simon Cox has got all the attributes to go on and have a great career.

The 20-year-old demonstrated a cool temperament and outstanding ability in a man-of-the-match debut performance as United drew 0-0 with Division 3 leaders Doncaster at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday in Graham Rix's first match in charge.

Judge (above), who himself had a professional career spanning 24 years with Luton, Reading, Oxford, Hereford and Chelsea, says he knew that Cox would be up to it when Andy Woodman had to pull out with a back injury on Saturday morning.

"I had no doubts at all that he'd be able to perform well, so he didn't surprise me," said Judge.

By recommending Cox for the job, Judge was doing himself out of a game, and the coach was on the bench instead - but that was the last thing on his mind.

He said: "I was as pleased for him as I would have been for myself had I played like that.

"He deserved his chance, he has worked extremely hard all season."

Rix spoke to Judge and his assistant David Oldfield to check out that the youngster was mentally strong enough for such a tough assignment.

"Obviously, Graham had only been at the club a few days and he needed to know what his temperament was like," Judge said.

He's seen for himself the ability that Simon had, but he spoke to David and me to check on his temperament because he needed confirmation that he was able to handle the situation.

"I'm nearly 44 and I'm just a part-time goalkeeper. There was no way I would have stood in Simon's way on Saturday."

Cox was the most convincing winner of United's text-vote man-of-the-match award this season for his performance on Saturday. He collected 89 per cent of the votes.