Peter Leven said that he got more satisfaction out of his first assist in Oxford United’s win at Aldershot on Saturday than he did with his goal.

The midfielder set up two and scored one – his first away goal of the season – as the U’s recorded a 3-0 victory that moved them back into the npower League Two play-off places.

Leven only has Southend’s Ryan Hall ahead of him in the divisional assists table.

Hall has 11 assists, and Leven ten, with both players having scored six times as well.

“It was good to get a couple of assists and a wee cheeky goal inside the first 45 minutes on Saturday,” Leven said. “But the first (assist) gave me the most pleasure out of them all.

“I thought the ball was going to go out, but it span back in, sat up nicely and I just fired it in and JP (Pittman) made a great run to the near post and headed it in.

“The second one from the corner I think might have gone in off a shin or something, but nobody cares because it’s in the net.

“And for my goal, they are hard ones because the ball is coming across your body, but it was good to see it go in.”

Pittman says it is a dream to play alongside someone like Leven, whose quality on the ball means that he is always likely to create chances.

“With service like that from Lev, it’s easier to score goals,” Pittman said.

“He has got a cultured left foot and his range of passing is really good, so if players are making the right runs and the right movement, you will be fine.”