SAM Long hailed Oxford United’s defensive effort after they kept a seventh clean sheet in ten matches when beating Gillingham 1-0 at home.

The U’s were expected to be tested with Sky Bet League One’s top-scorer Tom Eaves leading the line for the visitors.

But the hitman, who has scored 11 goals this season, was well-marshalled by centre backs Curtis Nelson and Rob Dickie.

Long was kept busy by Regan Charles-Cook on the right, in a game which saw the U’s defence put their bodies on the line at times.

But the 23-year-old, who made his second league start of the season in place of the injured Tony McMahon at full back was pleased with the way United dealt with their opposition.

He said: “It wasn’t a very nice game.

“Their direct approach made the game more of a battle than a football

match.

“We defended solidly as a unit and the main thing is we got the clean sheet and the win.”

With honours even at the interval, Long felt staying calm was key to securing victory.

He said: “We always believe we can win games and when you’ve got that you will always have a chance.

“We stayed calm and obviously got the penalty which probably settled the fans down more than us to be honest.

“But we held on to that and the win is very big for us.”