A RAPID double from Deane Smalley kept Oxford United's perfect start to the season on track as Plymouth Argyle were beaten at the Kassam Stadium.

The striker netted twice in the space of three minutes during a first half performance which was thrilling at times.

United lost their way after the break and after Robbie Williams pulled a goal back 15 minutes from time there were some nervous moments.

But they protected the lead to make it three wins from three and stay top of the League Two table on goal difference.

A groin injury to Lee Cox forced U's boss Chris Wilder to make one change to his starting line-up.

Tom Craddock, who scored both goals in the 2-0 midweek win against Southend United, came into the side as the hosts switched from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2.

Craddock almost provided the perfect start after two minutes, running on to a through ball from Jake Wright and shooting just wide.

Plymouth set out to put men behind the ball to frustrate the U's, but they had the ball in the net on 15 minutes.

Warren Feeney touched in Conor Hourihane's cross-shot, but his celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.

There was nothing wrong with United's opener, which came five minutes later.

Sean Rigg did well to win the ball by the corner flag and moved it quickly to Craddock, who found Smalley in acres of space inside the six-yard box.

After steadying himself, the striker beat Jake Cole with ease.

The Kassam Stadium was rocking three minutes later, when Smalley notched again.

Wright intercepted a pass and launched a counter-attack. Alfie Potter ran all the way to the edge of the box and slipped in Smalley, who did well to slot under Cole.

A spectacular deluge followed, but it failed to halt United.

Damian Batt fired just wide on his left foot, while with the next attack Smalley was denied a hat-trick as Cole blocked his shot at close range.

It was the striker's last meaningful contribution and following a heavy challenge he was replaced at half time.

James Constable came on, while Jake Forster-Caskey made way for Simon Heslop.

United looked a different side after the interval.

Playing at a lower tempo and without the same fluency in possession, the chances dried up.

Mis-placed passes allowed Plymouth to gain a foothold in the game.

But apart from a Feeney header aimed straight at Ryan Clarke, the visitors struggled to grasp the initiative.

United's defence held firm, with centre backs Wright and Michael Raynes again impressive.

Craddock should have made it 3-0 midway through the half, but he blazed over with only Cole to beat after exchanging passes with Constable.

With 15 minutes remaining Plymouth finally conjured up some quality in the attacking third to score.

Williams, who scored the last time the sides met, curled a blistering free kick round the wall and into the net.

The setback stirred the home side into life and they looked threatening once more going forward.

With 11 minutes remaining Constable crossed for Pittman, whose shot was too close to Cole, who parried.

United still had to survive some nervy moments late on, but they saw out time to claim another valuable three points.

United: Clarke, Batt, Raynes, Wright, Capaldi, Potter, Chapman, Forster-Caskey (Heslop 46), Rigg, Smalley (Constable 46), Craddock (Pittman 67)

Unused subs: Brown, Evans, McGinty, Marsh

Argyle: Cole, Nelson (Berry 46), Purse (Chadwick 72), Blanchard, Bhasera, Young, Wotton, Hourihane, Gurrieri (Williams 46), Cowan-Hall, Feeney

Unused subs: Chenoweth, Lennox, Lecointe, Gorman

Referee: Stephen Bratt

Attendance: 6,906 (770 visitors)