Oxford United boss Chris Wilder saluted his team’s commitment, desire and resolve as they battled against the elements and a floodlight failure to win at Forest Green last night.

A brilliant goal from James Constable brought the U’s a 1-0 victory, which keeps them five points clear at the top of the Blue Square Premier table.

On a dramatic day of transfer activity and action for United, new striker Onome Sodje was joined by another pacy forward, Francis Green, signed on loan until January 31 from Kettering.

And “Franny”, as he likes to be known, played his part in the win at The New Lawn, his pass setting Constable off on the run, which led to his 14th goal of the season.

Wilder said: “The lights went out, but the lights didn’t go out on the boys’ performance tonight.

“In difficult conditions, we again created chances, and in the second half, we should probably have wrapped it up.”

The lights’ failure, caused by a power cut locally, resulted in a 14-minute stoppage at the end of the first half. United were leading at the time, so they were relieved that they came back on.

Wilder admitted they feared the game might have to be abandoned.

“All credit to the players, especially with the interruption. It got a bit scary for us because we thought something might happen.”

He added: “It was an excellent debut from Franny, the way he worked for the team. I thought he showed his experience in the game and Sodje came on – it was good to get both new boys involved.

“We were bang at it tonight and really wanted to win.

“We disappointed our fantastic following at Kidderminster, I think the boys wanted to put that right.

“To have 900 fans here in the countryside on a wet Tuesday night is a great effort, and it was matched by the players’ endeavours.

“There are some nights that are maybe not eye-catching, but they are special nights for us as a football club and I thought tonight was one of those.”

Sodje follows Jamie Cook in being a 12th Man signing, with money raised from the U’s fans helping to pay his wages.

United midfielder Marcus Kelly is set to go in the opposite direction to Green, and join Kettering on loan.

He has been in talks and that move is expected to go through today.