Fifty five years ago today Oxford United claimed the victory which proved pivotal in their first Football League promotion.

Heading into the final week of the 1964/65 season, Arthur Turner’s side still had four games remaining and sat sixth in Division Four.

Their final push began at Prenton Park, with the hosts starting the day third.

“Tranmere can’t play as badly again” was Turner’s verdict after Oxford United’s players and officials watched the Merseysiders share a goalless draw with Bradford Park Avenue.

Incredibly, that clash was played the day before United’s meeting with Rovers and the stalemate between their rivals was a boost.

United remained the underdogs, though, in a seven-way battle for the four promotion spots.

But they were well rested, having not played for eight days since a 4-0 home win over Wrexham on Good Friday.

The visitors were also the side in form, winning seven of their previous ten games to get into the mix.

Tranmere were unbeaten at home in the league, but fell behind in the third minute when Mick Morris headed in Colin Booth’s inch-perfect corner.

Rovers quickly levelled from Barry Dyson’s penalty after a foul by Ron Atkinson, but a double from Tony Jones put the U’s in charge by the 49th minute.

Dyson’s second goal was deflected in past goalkeeper Harry Fearnley and back at the Manor Ground, the Oxford Mail reported more than 2,000 supporters “waited 20 minutes in complete silence” before the result was announced.

They need not have worried. John Fahy, who delayed his trip north after the death of his father on the Thursday, struck late on to make sure of the points.

There were jubilant scenes on the return journey when the five supporter coaches sighted the players’ bus at Banbury and “the commotion was such that the local constabulary were moved to protest”.

Few could blame the fans and with United finishing the season fourth, a point ahead of Rovers, it proved the pivotal result.

Oxford Utd: Fearnley, Beavon, Quartermain, R Atkinson, Kyle, Shuker, Morris, Booth, Fahy, Jones, Harrington.

Attendance: 9,982