Goalkeeper Billy Turley is convinced Oxford United can overhaul leaders Dagenham & Redbridge at the top of the Conference - because he knows from personal experience it can be done.

Turley, who was United's man-of-the-match in Tuesday night's 1-0 win at Southport, said: "I've been in the situation twice with Rushden where we won the Conference with Yeovil and where we won the third division with Hartlepool.

"Hartlepool were 14 points up on March 1 and it was similar with Yeovil - they were ten points clear at the same sort of time. There's going to be a lot of twists and turns yet.

"We've got to keep doing our job and I think we have got an excellent squad now.

"You look at those who are not even on the bench and that says a lot. There were 19 who travelled to Southport, and the three that were in the stand are excellent players.

"The gaffer's got a good problem now, we're all pulling in the right direction, we're over our slump and we just hope we can continue winning."

United reduced the Daggers' lead at the top to eight points with their victory at Haig Avenue while John Still's men were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Stafford Rangers.

The U's can close the gap to five points this Saturday by beating Forest Green at home, because Dagenham are without a match.

Their scheduled opponents, Stevenage, are in the FA Trophy semi-finals.

"It's all about putting pressure on them," said manager Jim Smith. "I think Dagenham have got four games in a week coming up some time in March, which will be very testing."

United have taken just 19 days to collect 12 points from their last four wins . . . after needing 98 days to collect their previous 12 points.

The win at Southport, secured by a great strike from Danny Rose, was a second successive clean sheet for Turley, due largely to an inspired performance from him.

He said: "It was a difficult night because it was windy and the pitch wasn't the best, but that's what I'm there for. I'm just glad I did my part."