DES Buckingham was happy to see his side reach the play-offs ‘the true Oxford way’ after sneaking into the top six on the final day of the season.

Oxford United’s win at Exeter City, combined with Lincoln City’s defeat at home to Portsmouth, ensured United finished in the Sky Bet League One play-offs.

With Barnsley drawing at home to Northampton Town, Buckingham’s side were able to climb from seventh to fifth, and set up a play-off clash against Peterborough United.

U’s head coach Buckingham said: “It feels good. It’s the true Oxford way, we never make things easy, but we arrive not just into a play-off spot, but playing some really good football.

“We arrive full of confidence going into what will be two tough games against a good Peterborough side.

“There are three things. The first was to concentrate on our own game and not to worry about what’s going on around you.

“I said pre-game that I wasn’t concerned with how we were playing. I think the players now are very clear on what we’re doing and how we do it, so there wasn’t that uncertainty.

“We knew what we wanted to do, so that level of calmness was there. We’ll enjoy this now because it has been a long, long season for everybody, but a season we now get to extend.

“As a season goes, it’s been pretty turbulent with a manager changing. I just thank the players because they’ve stuck with it, they’ve stuck with me, and they’ve stuck together more importantly.

“They’re a good group of players and it’s starting to come together now at a very exciting time of the season for everybody.”