Goalscorers praised by boss after helping U’s reach play-offs

GOALSCORING heroes Mark Harris and Cameron Brannagan were praised by Oxford United boss Des Buckingham after their goals secured the U’s a play-off spot.

Harris gave United the lead at Exeter City when he pinched the ball off Grecians captain Pierce Sweeney and ran through on goal, while Brannagan doubled the lead with a penalty tucked right into the corner.

Millenic Alli pulled a goal back for the home side, who were an improved outfit in the second half, but the U’s held on and saw the game out in a professional manner.

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United head coach Buckingham said of Harris: “He’s an excellent finisher in the box, we know that, but he’s also capable of doing the other side of the game.

“I think sometimes the work rate he gives us out of possession, and the smartness of what he does, and how he does it, probably goes unnoticed.

“The amount of times he does that, and wins turnovers in good areas because of it, he’s then able to finish the way he has.”

Brannagan meanwhile kept his cool to slot home from the penalty spot, and Buckingham said there is no other player he’d want to do the business from 12 yards.

“If there was a penalty that needed scoring, I wouldn’t rather anyone else be over the ball than Cameron Brannagan,” said Buckingham.

“Looking back at the start of the season, when we won 3-0 at the Kassam, we had two penalties, and Cam took both of them.

“He actually went the same way with his penalty, than he did last time. I think the keeper may have gone on that again, but if you hit it that well, it doesn’t matter.”