Oxford United's players are back to enjoying their football once again.

Skipper Andy Crosby admitted after Saturday's 1-1 draw at promotion-chasing Rochdale that his teammates are playing with a smile on their faces - and much of that is down to new boss Ian Atkins.

Substitute Paul Moody earned the U's a point which could prove vital in their bid to reach the play-offs with an 83rd-minute equaliser after they had totally dominated the second half.

"It was the best we've played since I've been at the club, and we looked a good side, I thought," Crosby said.

"We deserved at least a point. If we hadn't got anything, it would have been the biggest travesty of the season.

"Rochdale were hanging on and 'Moods' had had a goal disallowed which was very close.

"I don't know about what happened before because I came here, but obviously things weren't right.

"The gaffer's come in and the lads are playing with a smile on their faces now. We're enjoying our football and the spirit is amazing."

Said Atkins: "I thought we deserved all three points really. We've played well in spells in games before, but I thought we sustained it today for the whole 90 minutes.

"It was very unjust that we were down at half-time. But I enjoyed watching us today, we played some terrific football.

"We had 80 per cent of the game and that was against a team who were in fourth place in the table.

"There were two massive decisions in the game when Moody had a goal disallowed when obviously he wasn't offside, and when David Savage broke through and was also given offside when he shouldn't have been."

Atkins was delighted for midfielder Robert Quinn, who took over from an injured Paul Tait and played his part in an outstanding midfield display.

"Quinn had his best game for a while and helped us take a massive stranglehold on the game," he said. "Tait suffered a slight hamstring strain, it was nothing to do with his Achilles, but it makes him doubtful for Tuesday night.

"The only criticism is with the goal we conceded, because it was a bit sloppy."

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