James Constable admitted the delight of scoring at AFC Wimbledon was tinged with disappointment over missing a golden chance to compete a century of goals for Oxford United.

The striker seized on a fifth-minute chance to head in Asa Hall’s cross for the opening goal.

It was his fifth of the season and took the 29-year-old to 99 goals for the U’s, just one behind Tony Jones, who is second on the club’s all-time top scorers’ list.

United went on to win the game 2-0, but only made the game safe nine minutes from the end through Deane Smalley’s penalty.

Constable was pleased to help the U’s to victory, but rued wasting a great chance 20 minutes from time, when he blazed Smalley’s pass over from close range.

He said: “It’s a bit mixed really. I probably should have had two and then it would’ve been a lot more of a comfortable game.

“It’s nice to get that goal. I’m just maybe a little bit disappointed I didn’t get to 100.

“The lads at the back were tremendous putting in blocks and saves, where really it should’ve been out of sight and then it would’ve been a different game.”

At the time it looked as though Constable fired the chance over because he was not expecting Smalley, who was in an excellent position himself, to pass.

But the No 9 said: “I’ve played with Deano and I know he’s unselfish like that. “I had half an idea he was going to cut it back, but I just tried to do too much with it. “I should’ve just side-footed it and then it would’ve been a goal.”

The opening strike came from good work by Asa Hall, in the side due to a suspension for Dave Kitson.

He dispossessed Peter Sweeney out wide and picked out Constable, who had so much space in the area he feared an offside flag would rule the goal out.

He said: “I could see in the corner of my eye everyone was appealing for offside, although I don’t think I was. The lad, who shut Asa down, was keeping me onside.

“There’s a lot of pressure when you look up and realise you have a free header.

“You just want to get it on target and then straight away you look to the lino (linesman), who thankfully gave the goal.”