IF Oxford United could choose a moment to hit top gear before the end of the season, now would be the time to hit the accelerator.

Of the next four games, tomorrow’s opponents Scunthorpe United are the highest-placed side, in 16th.

It means a good run now would not only send the U’s climbing, but also inflict damage on several rivals at the bottom.

A win tomorrow would get them to within two points of the Iron, but Karl Robinson is only bothered about one aspect.

The U’s head coach said: “I don’t think it’s a case of dragging other teams in, I think you should always worry about your own house.

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“Someone said yesterday about Shrewsbury winning and someone else not winning.

“But you’ve just got to win, it’s as simple as that.

“While it’s in your hands, which it certainly is – we know we can put a run of games together and be ultra-competitive – we have to solely focus on ourselves.

“Dragging other teams in and making it a disappointing afternoon for them is not what you want to do, you just want to make your own fans happy.

“I’ve never gone into a game wanting to make the other team sad.

“Every game you go into you worry about yourselves. It’s only ever about us.

“So whether we drag people in or get away, it’s got no relevance.”

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The gap between the sides would have been much closer without a bizarre spell in November’s reverse fixture at Glanford Park.

United were cruising at 3-0 up after an hour, but six minutes later the scores were level and the points were shared.

“We felt in that game we were in total control,” Robinson said.

“It was a mad five minutes but we played very well for 85 in that game and we let things slip away. It was disappointing, but it’s put to bed now.

“We’re going into a new challenge at the weekend and hopefully we can perform to the best of our ability.”

The Scunthorpe slip left United waiting for an away league win until last weekend.

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They broke the barren run with a controlled display which saw them set out to frustrate, but it is unlikely to be repeated at home tomorrow.

Robinson said: “I never want to be a manager that has to manage in that way to get results.

“It wasn’t pretty on the eye and it wasn’t something we want to replicate week-in, week-out.

“It was a needs-must performance.

“You always ride your luck at 1-0 – there will be other days where their crosses would have picked out one of their players.

“I’m looking forward to a game where we can sit back (on the touchline) and enjoy the last 15 minutes.”