KARL Robinson urged his Oxford United players to remain courageous on the ball after regaining their swagger on Tuesday night.

A 5-0 scoreline against AFC Wimbledon did not flatter the U’s, who had won just once in Sky Bet League One since the reverse fixture in December.

It emphatically cashed in a game in hand and moved Robinson’s side back to within five points of the play-off places.

Also read: Oxford United's pre-match highlights package helped inspire rout of AFC Wimbledon

The head coach had praised the way they played last weekend despite going down 1-0 at home to Sunderland.

And after reinforcing the message before Tuesday’s game he was delighted to see it pay off.

Robinson said: “I got asked on Saturday about how we find the spring in our step and it’s just by continuing to do the right things.

“I said to them on Monday ‘play more than ever’. If we lose playing this way I’m here to take the blame and be the shield for their style.

“We have to be brave to play the way we want.”

United will need to be on their game again on Saturday, when they visit fellow promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town.

It is their first visit to Portman Road since 1999 and both sides are playing catch-up on the top six.

The visitors have Alex Gorrin available again after the midfielder completed a two-game suspension.