KARL Robinson thought Oxford United did themselves proud as they paid their respects to Joey Beauchamp on an emotional afternoon.

The U’s laid on a host of tributes to the club legend, who died last Saturday aged 50, before going on to beat Cambridge United 4-2 at the Kassam Stadium.

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There were poignant scenes before kick-off as Beauchamp’s daughters led representatives from both teams in laying wreaths behind the goal in front of the Jim Smith Stand.

And emotions were running high at full-time as Robinson brought them back out onto the pitch to join United’s lap of honour.

The U’s head coach said: “I just looked up and punched the air and saw them stood in front of the family.

“At two goals up you weren’t in that moment of adrenaline.

“I just thought it was the right thing to do, because the crowd was here because of their father.

“It’s important they understand that when they have difficult moments there’s 10,000 people standing right behind them.”

Other pre-match tributes included United’s academy sides lining the pitch, as they paid tribute to probably the greatest player to come out of the club’s youth system.

There was a minute’s applause before kick-off, although former U’s striker Sam Smith threatened to spoil the party with his sixth-minute opener.

Matty Taylor hauled United level with his 19th goal of the season, the Oxford-born No 9 pointing to the skies in honour of his hero as he wheeled away.

Smith struck again early in the second half, but two goals in eight minutes from Cameron Brannagan and Sam Baldock – another player who watched Beauchamp at The Manor Ground – turned the tables.

Brannagan struck a late fourth to take his tally to 12 for the campaign and Robinson was hugely relieved to come away with a positive result on a special day.

He said: “This is a special one for us, the guilt we would have carried for not winning this game would have been very difficult because we put ourselves under that pressure.

“Sometimes you care a little bit too much and you feel the pitfalls of negative results.

“But today is for the fans and for them to share with their hero.

“He might not know how much he meant to the people of Oxfordshire, but I think his family certainly do and especially his two young girls.

“In passing, the person’s gone and unfortunately the kids and family members are the ones that are left behind.

“We’ve got to make sure we get around them now.

“These people served this club with tremendous pride and dignity, so we owe it to their families that we do everything right by them.

“I think today the club have got everything on point.”