OXFORD United’s togetherness is a key reason for their record-breaking winning run, reckons Sam Winnall.

The striker’s first two goals for the club helped beat AFC Wimbledon 3-1 and secure a ninth straight victory – a feat no other U’s side has achieved.

United all-but sealed their passage into the Papa John’s Trophy semi-finals within 52 minutes, thanks to Winnall’s first-half double and Mide Shodipo’s strike.

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The 30-year-old has struggled with injuries over the past three years and had not scored since last January, but felt the reception he received at the break showed why the U’s are on such an impressive streak.

Winnall said: “I’ve learnt a lot about the type of people that are in that dressing room.

“At half-time, I don’t think there was one person that didn’t come and congratulate me.

“That speaks volumes about everybody as people, not just as footballers.

“It makes me proud to be part of a football club that’s like that.

“We’re each other’s biggest fans and each other’s biggest critics and I think that’s a really good recipe for success.

“We know when things aren’t good enough we’ll be the first to tell each other, but when people do things well we’ll be the first to congratulate.

“We’ve done well – of course the job’s not done, but sometimes you’ve got to reflect.

“To win nine games in a row is a fantastic achievement.”

Winnall took 11 games to open his U’s account, but did so with two striker’s finishes.

First, he headed home Josh Ruffels’ excellent cross, before digging out Shodipo’s cut-back just before the half-hour mark.

The QPR loanee scored a third just after the break, with Ethan Chislett’s late consolation the only sour note of the quarter-final for United.

A much-changed U’s line-up could have scored more, underlining the strength in depth at Karl Robinson’s disposal.

United’s head coach hailed his squad for their achievement, but admitted it was tinged with regret.

“To get nine straight wins is phenomenal for this group,” he said.

“I’d like to think every one of them can hold their head up high, because they very rarely let me down.

“It’s a tremendous night for the football club.

“The big sadness is the fact the stands don’t have anybody in.”

The record of eight wins in a row was set under Jim Smith in 1982/83, but Robinson insisted the legendary U’s boss was in a class of his own.

He said: “For people of the likes of Jim, we’re at the mercy of their greatness.

“You can’t ever replicate what has been before us, because they were far greater than we’ve ever been.”