KARL Robinson was thrilled to see Oxford United show the ruthlessness to back up a positive performance against Accrington Stanley.

Nathan Holland’s first-half double put the U’s on course for a 5-1 triumph, before Matty Taylor, Mark Sykes and a Michael Nottingham own goal completed the scoring.

United had lacked a clinical edge during a previously-winless September, but they carved Accrington open with their first four strikes before fortune favoured them for the fifth.

Read the match report here

It was very different to Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Gillingham, when the U’s could not turn their dominance into three points, and Robinson felt his side could have scored even more.

The U’s head coach said: “We were frustrated with one point the other day, but I don’t think you’ll see too much difference in performance or style. It was just taking chances.

“Matty’s goal was harder than anything we had at the weekend, Sykesy’s was an unbelievable strike and you get a bit of luck for the fifth.

“I still think we’ve missed chances, but the scoreline was very pleasing.”

United’s intentions were clear from Robinson’s decision to play Herbie Kane instead of Alex Gorrin in holding midfield and they remained on the front foot.

WATCH: Highlights from last night

Their intensity dropped after Taylor made it 3-0 five minutes into the second half and Accrington’s goal, scored by Ethan Hamilton, came after they won the ball back from a goal kick.

Robinson said: “I’m disappointed with their goal, it’s silly from us.

“But the way we responded was excellent.

“I thought the midfield balance looked very good.

“It’s not going to be the same midfield every week, we said before this was a game to attack.

“It's part of what we believe in.”

Among those watching at the Kassam Stadium were U’s directors Anindya Bakrie and Horst Geicke, along with several associates.

The pair are part of a group close to securing the majority stake in the club, along with former board member Erick Thohir, with the deal waiting for English Football League (EFL) approval.

Robinson said: “I don’t get too fixed on what goes on in the boardroom.

“I can get excited by it and they put pressure on you, because that’s part of what they do.

“They spoke to the staff before the game about how we move forward as a football club.

“That’ll stay internal for now, but the place was really positive.”

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The contest was soured by a flurry of late bookings and an incident between Accrington manager John Coleman and someone in the South Stand.

Robinson went over as a peace-maker and revealed what went on.

He said: “Somebody’s had a go at him for being a Scouser, so I just asked to be respectful to the opposition’s manager.

“I don’t think John was being too disrespectful to anybody – there’s some managers who come here and are disrespectful to our fans.

“It’s a part of the world I’m from as well, so John was saying 'if he’s calling me it, that means you’re one'.”