KARL Robinson reserved special praise for four Oxford United players after the 3-2 victory at Plymouth Argyle.

The U's were without Alex Gorrin and Jordan Obita for the visit to Home Park, while Matty Taylor was only fit enough to make the bench.

It opened the door for several of United's fringe players, with Jamie Hanson starting his first Sky Bet League One game since August 2019.

Read the match report here

Sean Clare came off the bench to set up Sam Long for the U's second goal, while fellow substitutes Anthony Forde and Mark Sykes made a difference in their first league appearances since December 5 and November 28 respectively.

Questions have been asked about the latter's absence in particular, but Robinson was thrilled to see all four take their chance. 

The U's head coach said: “I get why people say ‘frozen out’, but I have to make decisions for Oxford United to the best of my ability.

“For Sean Clare to put in a performance like that, Anthony Forde hasn’t been on the pitch in the last four games and Mark Sykes hasn’t been in the squad - for the right reasons.

“Jamie Hanson hasn’t made a league start this season.

“Those four players were outstanding and that was the big shining light.”

Josh Ruffels: Oxford United could easily have crumbled at Plymouth Argyle

The U's were second-best during an opening half an hour where they went 1-0 down through Panutche Camara's early strike.

It signalled a change of formation from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1, with Liam Kelly dropping in alongside Hanson and Marcus McGuane in the No 10 role.

The U's planned before the game to switch between the two and Robinson was pleased to see it pay off.

“It was probably five minutes too late, but we’re lucky that we worked on that shape," he said.

“After their goal we changed the system very quickly.

“I think the game-plan worked, but it’s not all about the game-plan – it’s desire.”

United looked more likely to win from the moment Josh Ruffels equalised eight minutes before the break, with the visitors having the better chances after the restart.

Mide Shodipo's penalty put the U's 3-1 up after Long had carried the ball from inside his own half, exchanged passes with Clare and slotted home.

The defender also caused problems with a long throw in the second half and Robinson welcomed his threat going forward - especially with right back Chris Cadden linked with a United return. 

He said: “I’ve been saying Sam Long’s defending has been brilliant, but going forward there’s got to be more to his game.

“If he’s got a long throw and he can deliver crosses and run past his winger, then that’s as good a performance as I’ve seen Chris Cadden put in.

“He’s developing into a really good full-back and he’s one of our own."