OXFORD United have had some big games already this season, but Karl Robinson says the tension has not matched their meeting with Wycombe Wanderers last season.

The pair, opponents in the Sky Bet League One play-off final on Monday, met at the Kassam Stadium with six games remaining, with both sitting just outside the Sky Bet League One relegation zone.

Josh Ruffels’ spectacular stoppage-time strike sealed a 2-1 victory which eased the pressure on the U’s and heaped it on the Chairboys.

But Robinson believes what happened next fostered a spirit of respect between the two clubs.

He said: “I made my players turn the music off (in the changing room).

“We were both in a relegation fight and they’re really honest in what they do.

“We didn’t feel it was right to have music on after the game when you know how low they could have been.

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“That was a very difficult moment we found ourselves in, but we scored in the 94th minute.

“We felt the respect we had for the opposition was not to celebrate that because it might come back and hurt you.”

He added: “I think if you have total respect for the opposition, it allows you to be ultra-competitive when that whistle goes.

“My way of doing things is if you show respect you should be able to get that back.”

It is indicative of someone who, while his emotions can run high on the touchline, looks to stay as measured as possible.

Whatever happens from here United have exceeded expectations this season, but it will take time for the head coach to appreciate it.

He said: “It probably won’t be until the summer that you evaluate what you’ve done.

“When you’re in the moment I don’t think it’s something you get too carried away about.”