DES Buckingham was delighted to see Oisin Smyth score a late winner with his first goal for Oxford United.

The midfielder made his first league start of the season, playing on the right of a three-man defence, and popped up with a superb 30-yard strike as the U’s came from behind to win at Charlton Athletic.

Playing in defence isn’t necessarily a new thing for Smyth, who has featured there for Northern Ireland Under-21s, and for United against Forest Green Rovers in the EFL Trophy earlier this season.

On slotting Smyth in at centre back, U’s head coach Buckingham said: “He’s played there for his country, and I’ve watched many games where he’s played there.

“We played him at right back against Forest Green because if we needed cover at right back, he could fit.

“For him to go on and do what he’s just done, and hit that from 30 yards, and be the winner with his first goal for the club, is a wonderful moment for him and sets us up nicely in the league as well.”

Mark Harris grabbed the equaliser at The Valley, drawing United level midway through the first half after Chem Campbell had given the home side an early lead.

Harris’ goal was his first in the league since August 15, when he netted a brace in the 2-1 win at Derby County.

Buckingham said: “I’m delighted for Sparky, he’s been waiting for an opportunity like that and it’s a really good team move that’s got into that area.

“We speak about getting across the front post, and it’s an excellent run. Hopefully that lifts the weight off him because he’s been working so hard.”

The U’s boss added: “I’ve never questioned the work rate and desire of this group, and we’ve had some setbacks in the past few weeks, in terms of personnel.

“We changed the shape and the system because we were lacking severely in wingers, but I thought the group, bearing in mind we only had a walk-through yesterday, adapted to it so quickly, and I thought it was a fair result in the end, and probably one of the best performances since I’ve been here, in terms of dominating the ball.

“There was a setback after the first five minutes, but once they found their feet, we looked comfortable with the shape and the system.

“They’ve [Charlton] had a bit of a rough time in terms of results, and it was about sticking to what we wanted to do.

“I think we showed that when we do that, we can play some good football, and that was the pleasing thing.”