Chris Wilder urged Oxford United to savour going back to the top of the table before the hard work starts again in training this morning.

The U’s, who led Sky Bet League Two in August, returned to the summit with a hard-fought 2-0 win at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

Goals from James Constable and Deane Smalley extended their excellent unbeaten away record as rivals elsewhere dropped points.

Wilder called on the U’s to keep the pressure on the sides around them, but firstly wanted the players to make the most of their position.

He said: “We can enjoy this and then we are back in on Monday.

“We have had to work extremely hard to get a result, nothing is given in this league and you have seen the results yet again.

“We have worked hard to get to the top and we know that we have to keep the hammer down. “The players know that. I don’t need to tell them, but I want them to enjoy the weekend.”

Although the scoreline looks routine, United were severely tested at Kingsmeadow.

After Constable headed them into an early lead, the visitors needed a robust defensive display to keep the Dons out before Smalley tucked away a penalty nine minutes from time.

Wilder said: “Every part of the game I was happy with, the only thing was the last ten minutes because I thought we put undue pressure on ourselves by giving the ball away in cheap positions.

“We worked hard to overcome a spirited side that are desperate to get themselves going again, we just gave them too many opportunities to stick the ball in our box.

“We have got to say we’re fortunate that Clarkey, the skipper (Jake Wright), Raynesey and Whingy did that part of the deal. They have to, and they did.”

United had cause to feel hard done by in the first half, as they had clear penalty appeals turned down when Sean Rigg was twice felled by Barry Fuller.

Wilder was thankful they did not alter the result of the game, but was baffled by referee Dean Whitestone’s decisions.

He said: “I don’t know if I’ve upset Dean or something, but the point we always make is why would he fall over when he’s four yards out and about to pull the striker.

“It’s on his left foot and he has the goalkeeper to beat.