CHRIS Maguire’s double saw Oxford United extend their winning streak over their biggest rivals to an unprecedented six games as Swindon Town finished with nine men.

The Scot coolly converted a penalty just before half-time and then embarrassed Swindon Town goalkeeper Lawrence Vigoroux by charging down his clearance, which flew into the net in the 61st minute.

It was all too much for Lloyd Jones, who was quickly sent off for collecting two bookings to leave the visitors with ten men for the final quarter of the game.

United had chances to make the scoreline more emphatic, but just like last season’s encounter in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last October they had to be content with a 2-0 victory.

Vigoroux was red-carded in stoppage time after reacting to Alex MacDonald's tackle as an increasingly ragged Swindon imploded.

The result took the U’s above their rivals in a league table for the first time since November 2011.

Oxford Mail:

  • U's skipper John Lundstram leads the applause for the home fans

Marvin Johnson was handed his full debut as Michael Appleton fielded the side which began the second half of last week’s 1-0 win against Rochdale.

It meant United switched to 4-2-3-1 as Kane Hemmings dropped to the bench, while Swindon played with a back three.

The Kassam Stadium was rocking before kick-off, helped by a fantastic flag display set up by the Oxford Ultras in the East Stand.

When play began John Lundstram attempted to etch his name into derby folklore by trying his luck from just inside the Swindon half, but the ambitious effort dropped just wide.

Both sides looked to play out from the back, which proved tricky as the game rattled along at 100 miles per hour.

But as the half wore on, United steadily took control.

Phil Edwards was the first player to test Vigoroux, who did well to hold on to the firm 25-yard shot in wet conditions.

The Swindon goalkeeper was stretched again just before the half-hour mark.

After Johnson tore through the middle to open up the Robins defence, he squared for Maguire to smash a shot from just outside the box which Vigoroux tipped over.

His opposite number, Simon Eastwood, went through the entire first half without making a save.

Swindon were neat in possession, but did not carry the same goal threat as their hosts.

The only real tense moment for United’s back four came when Brandon Ottewill was fouled near the byline and when the free-kick was fizzed in Nathan Thompson headed over.

The centre back took centre stage again two minutes before the break.

Liam Sercombe, who up to that stage had been quiet, drove through the middle. After turning Darnell Furlong inside and out, the midfielder was clumsily brought down by Thompson.

It looked right on the line, but after consulting with his assistant on the far side, referee Stuart Attwell awarded a penalty.

Vigoroux guessed correctly and got a hand on the ball, but Maguire’s spot-kick had enough force to take it into the corner of the net.

The half-time interval came at a bad time for United, who were unable to build on their breakthrough.

Instead, the opening chance of the second half fell to Swindon’s Johnny Goddard.

A fortunate ricochet found the attacking midfielder unmarked in the area, but his shot was brilliantly blocked by Eastwood.

It was a huge moment in the game, with United going on to take advantage of the let-off.

Vigoroux turned a powerful strike from the quietly influential Joe Rothwell round the post, but the Robins keeper was left red-faced just after the hour mark.

There appeared no danger when Sercombe’s through ball was cut out by a defender back to Vigoroux, but he delayed long enough for Maguire to close him down.

As the Scot slid in, the clearance smashed into him and rebounded into the net for his fourth goal of the season.

Swindon’s task of getting back into the game got even tougher four minutes later, when Jones was sent off for a second booking.

Despite this, the ten men quickly had a golden chance to pull a goal back.

A clever pass caught out United’s back four, but Furlong fired over from barely six yards.

It was the warning the hosts needed and they went on to take fewer risks going forward.

Nonetheless it should still have been 3-0 when Johnson beat the offside trap to run on to substitute Alex MacDonald’s pass.

Maguire was screaming for the winger to square the ball for his hat-trick, but instead Johnson shot into the side netting.

MacDonald was denied superbly by Vigoroux late on as a beaten Swindon waited for the final whistle.

The pair were involved again in stoppage time, with the keeper red carded after shoving MacDonald, who was booked for his tackle.

Oxford Utd (4-2-3-1): Eastwood, Edwards, Dunkley, Raglan, Skarz, Rothwell, Lundstram, Maguire, Sercombe, Johnson, Thomas.

Subs used: Taylor (Thomas 71), MacDonald (Rothwell 80), Ledson (Sercombe 84).

Unused subs: Buchel, Ruffels, Crowley, Ledson, Hemmings.

Swindon Tn (3-5-2): Vigouroux, Furlong, Thompson, Jones, Barry, Doughty, Rodgers (Kasim 53), Thomas (Delfouneso 66), Ottewill, Goddard (Obika 53), Norris.

Unused subs: Henry, Brophy, Rossi-Branco, Murray, Delfouneso.

Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).

Attendance: 11,042 (1,190 visitors).