Asa Hall wants to become Oxford United’s new penalty-taker this season after grabbing a chance in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Berwick Rangers.

The position is up for grabs after Peter Leven, who previously had the role, was released at the end of last season along with Damian Batt, who netted from 12 yards against Torquay United in March when the Scot was out injured.

Deane Smalley is a candidate after scoring a penalty at Accrington Stanley on the final day of last season, but Hall wants to put his hat in the ring.

The midfielder had success from the spot during a spell at Luton Town before his first spell at United and confidently sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to equalise in the friendly at Berwick.

He said: “No-one seemed to step up, so I grabbed the ball and it was an opportunity to score, so I’ll always try to take that.

“I’d like to be the penalty- taker. That’s three out of three I’ve scored in my career now.

“I’ll definitely be putting my hand up this season.”

Hall got 90 minutes under his belt in Northumberland as the U’s finished their tour games with a win.

The squad returned south yesterday, but not before one final tough session which saw them running up steep sand dunes near their Edinburgh hotel.

With less than three weeks remaining until League Two kicks off, United’s pre-season goes up a notch on Saturday when they host Birmingham City.

Hall knows there is still some physical work needed, but feels they are closing in on being match-fit.

He said: “I think we’re about 80 per cent at the moment and over the next couple of weeks the games we’ve got left will just top us up and we’ll be ready to go.

“The tour’s been great though – not just the fitness sessions, but having the lads together 24/7 brings everyone really close together.”