MATTY Taylor was relieved he kicked an illness into touch in time to become Oxford United’s match-winner at Rotherham United.

The striker’s close-range header proved the difference as Karl Robinson’s side won 2-1 to climb into Sky Bet League One’s play-off positions.

His involvement was in doubt until late in the week due to a vomiting bug which had ruled out the Bristol City loanee from the previous game.

But it was the Millers who were left feeling sick after Taylor’s telling contribution.

He said: “I was bed-ridden for a couple of days, but I got over that.

IN PICTURES: Rotherham 1, United 2

“We had a session on Tuesday, which was tough for me. I was floating in and out and didn’t feel right.

“On Thursday and Friday I felt all right and thankfully I was well enough to play.”

It was Taylor’s fifth goal for the U’s in his last six appearances, but this was the most significant.

All his previous league goals had come in big victories, while his header in front of the travelling fans separated the sides in a tough encounter.

However, it was the one that got away – when a big chance was kept out by a terrific save by Millers goalkeeper Daniel Iversen – which Taylor was left to stew over.

He said: “I was a bit annoyed I couldn’t make it 3-1 to be honest moments later.

“I’m still annoyed at that and I’ll watch it on the way home.

“But we’re buzzing to get the win. To a man, everyone’s working so hard and fingers crossed we can keep ticking these wins off.

“I’m not sure too many teams will get three points here, which is what makes it sweeter.

“It was a different style of game, which is the more pleasing thing because it shows we can win ugly as well as win pretty.”

Alex Gorrin was another player who was only passed fit to play late last week after suffering with an ankle problem.

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And United needed the combative midfielder in a bruising contest.

He said: “This type of game shows your character and really what a team we are.

“I’m just buzzing with the result and at the way the boys put their bodies on the line.

“I think Rotherham are very good at what they do. They get around you, get the ball in the box and I thought we dealt with it fantastically.

We’ve come away with the three points, which is massive”