VICTORY over the leaders was the perfect platform for Oxford United to attack the Christmas schedule, says boss Karl Robinson.

The U’s were on a four-game winless run in all competitions in December, but halted that sequence with a 1-0 success over Wycombe Wanderers.

It lifted them back into the top six in Sky Bet League One and within striking distance of the automatic promotion places ahead of three games in less than a week, starting at home to Lincoln City on Boxing Day.

Read also: Josh Ruffels pleased with Oxford United's composure in Wycombe win

Robinson, United’s head coach, said: “I think we all know the importance of decent results at this time of year – it doesn’t half help you.

“We had a mini-revival last year in November and early December and then all of a sudden we ran out of legs because we didn’t have enough players who were able to compete and we lost all three (Christmas games).

“When other teams are getting nine points, that’s a massive gulf to claw back.

“(This year) we’re three points behind second with a game in hand, so it’s not a bad place to be.”

Robinson confirmed Cameron Brannagan was fine, despite the midfielder coming off late in the game.

Alex Gorrin also made way, but that was to protect the midfielder – already on a booking – from being targeted by the Chairboys, who were looking to even up the game after Adebayo Akinfenwa’s red card.

Robinson said: “We brought Alex off because he has to play on the edge.

“He would definitely have been sent off (if he had stayed on).

“It’s a bit unfair of me to say that, but if I was Gareth and he was still on the pitch then one of my sole aims would be to make sure the next challenge he does there would be an expectation the referee should do something about it.”

United played with an extra man for more than an hour, but could not find the killer second goal.

Robinson was though happy the hosts had not been lulled into throwing everything forward.

He said: “I was pleased that we didn’t over-commit.

“If you lose your head you get hit on the break and that would have been a killer to take a point.”