Oxford United's penalty king Cameron Brannagan said his first spot kick against Exeter was the hardest because it was a pressure situation where the result was possibly depending on it.

Brannagan, who famously converted four in one game at Gillingham last season, won the mind games against City stopper Vijami Sinisalo by placing the second spot kick in the same bottom corner - as the keeper dived the other way.

But the midfielder felt the first one, in the 83rd minute, was tougher because Exeter had been threatening to draw level.

"To be honest, the first one's the worst," he said. "You go 1-0 up and it's a bit of a stick or twist because I know that goal's got to go in and it was obviously a tough situation. But I train for that and I'm comfortable stepping up and taking pens."

Oxford Mail: Cameron Brannagan fires home his first penaltyCameron Brannagan fires home his first penalty (Image: Mike Allen)

The first one beat Sinisalo for pace, and Brannagan said: "I always pick a way (to go) and if he dives the right way and saves it, then that's hats off to the keeper, that's just the way it is.

"You ain't going to score every single pen, it just doesn't work like that. You just pick your way and back yourself.

"I've always been confident at penalties, I think I'm quite a confident person.

"Sometimes it can be nerve-wracking taking a pen but you've got to have that self-belief that you are going to score and I do have that.

"Respect to Exeter, I thought they played very well.

"They made it very hard for us, especially in the second half. We shifted in block and that's credit to us, we found a way to win and that's the most important thing.

"I said it in the dressing room.... I think last year we maybe would have lost that game, we would have found it hard to get a result. But the way we stuck together and dug deep was very good and we should be proud of ourselves."

United, now back up to second in League 1, have scored three goals in each of the last two games despite being without striker Mark Harris, who is suspended, with Ruben Rodrigues opening his account for the club.

Brannagan said: "That's what you need, everybody in as a collective to score goals and get assists. 

"I know 'Sparky' is banging at the chomp, and is dying to get out there. He's been training very hard and I'm sure his time will come and I'm sure he'll get many goals for us.

"It's too early in the season to be even looking at the table. There are so many games to play, Saturdays and Tuesdays. Again, we just want to keep working and improving."

Second-placed United's next game is another tough test at third-placed Stevenage next Saturday.