Oxford United manager Chris Wilder got what he wanted at the weekend – the team guaranteeing a play-off semi-final second leg at home, and all the fans supportive.

On the day Stevenage wrapped up the Blue Square Premier title, United’s 2-0 win over Mansfield, in which they returned to their best, ensures they will finish second or third, with the second leg of the play-off semi-final now confirmed at the Kassam Stadium on Monday, May 3 (3pm).

But they don’t yet know who out of Rushden and York they will face – and there is still a chance Wilder’s side can catch Luton and finish second.

The U’s boss had been upset by the abuse of some supporters at the 0-0 draw with Cambridge in midweek, but this time he was full of praise for the fans.

“I’m delighted with the performance, and delighted most of all for the supporters,” he said.

“I made a point of going at the end to all sides of the ground to thank them because it’s been a difficult week for me as well, with a bit of soul-searching, and what I said on Tuesday about a real small minority.

“But even when I walked through the door today, I had people wishing me well and saying ‘keep going, keep your head up’ and I wanted to express my thanks to them, because they stayed with us right to the end.”

He added: “The fans have got a massive, massive part to play.

“And when it’s positive, like it was today – there was a positive vibe about the place – you can see the players grow and the confidence flooding back.”

Wilder laughed: “People should forget about me. I’m getting old and grumpy. I was a frustrated manager during the week.

“I shoot my mouth off, possibly. In time, if I stay here a bit longer, which I want to do, then hopefully people will forget about what I say and ignore my occasional rants and frustrations.”

It was a fourth consecutive clean sheet for Oxford.

Wilder added: “I’m delighted with the application at the back because Mansfield have got some dangerous players, and we wrapped them up pretty well.”

KEY Remaining games Tomorrow: Gateshead v Stevenage, Oxford Utd v Wrexham.

Saturday: Eastbourne v Oxford Utd, Rushden v Luton, Stevenage v York.