KARL Robinson felt Oxford United's display against Doncaster Rovers vindicated their decision to take the handbrake off.

The U's swarmed all over a side who sit fifth in Sky Bet League One, with Matty Taylor's double and Mide Shodipo's strike putting them 3-0 up at half-time.

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Eighth-placed United had scored just three times in their previous eight matches and Robinson spoke before the game about the need to be aggressive.

The head coach knew the risks after Doncaster hurt the U's on the break in their 3-2 win at the Keepmoat Stadium last month, but was delighted to see the tactic pay off.

"It’s how we can keep playing with that handbrake off," Robinson said. 

“We felt it was a good night to do it, we can’t do it all the time.

"If you play like that you’re going to leave yourself open.

"They’re one of the best teams at finding that pass around the corner.

"They’ve got a lot of quality in their team and we’ve seen what their front four did to us at their place on the turnover.

Watch: Highlights of last night's win

"I thought we were just as dominant in both games.

"When you go 3-0 up at half-time you’d take a boring second half, but we’ve hit the post once and a few flashed by."

The U's were aggressive and forced the Doncaster back line into several mistakes throughout the 90 minutes, with Cameron Brannagan and Liam Kelly joining the press.

The midfielders were tenacious in the tackle and were involved in each of the goals between them.

Kelly played some particularly delightful passes and Robinson was thrilled for a player whose influence has been questioned.

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“I thought it was one of his best performances in a yellow shirt against a very, very good team," he said.

"As a manager, he's one you’re always protecting because you know what he gives you.

"I think if fans were in the stadium they’d see it more.

"They’d see a lot of the work that goes on when the game becomes a bit uncontrollable.”

Robinson was also full of praise for winger Brandon Barker, who terrorised right back Brad Halliday and claimed two assists.

He said: “Brandon Barker for 60 minutes – wow.

"That was as good as you're going to get.

"His out-of-possession performance was incredible too."