Darren's delight

6:30am Friday 10th October 2008

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DARREN Patterson saluted his players – and especially his midfielders – for sticking to their guns last night as they stunned in-form Torquay by taking a point away from Plainmoor.

Phil Trainer's 89th-minute goal brought United a precious away point.

And the U's boss said the way his central midfielders stayed brave on the ball and kept feeding it out to the wide players turned the game.

Like all the Oxford United fans, though, Patterson was frustrated that a point didn't become three because Yemi Odubade was tripped in the box in stoppage time – yet the ref ignored it.

"It was a stonewall penalty, I've seen the replay on TV," said United's manager afterwards.

"I'm not going to go mental about it, but it seemed a clear-cut one."

Midfielder Adam Murray insisted: "We should have had two penalties in the game, so a draw is the least we deserved."

But Patterson preferred to concentrate on the good things to come from his team, who have now built on two good home wins.

He said: "In the second half we started to stretch the pitch with our two wide players.

"Our two central midfielders remained brave on the ball and we kept getting it out wide – that was key to me."

Torquay's goal, on 21 minutes, was not so clever, however, with the U's not picking up centre half Chris Robertson, who bundled in a corner.

Patterson said: "It was such a simple, basic goal to concede. Other than that they didn't really trouble us, even though they're on a good run and are the in-form team in the league.

"Their second balls were much better than us, but we hung in there.

"Our front two were working their socks off, but it wasn't really working for them. But we have to appreciate, they're getting match-fitter.

"It was having the two quick lads, Lewis (Haldane) and Yemi (Odubade), go up front which caused them a lot of problems.

"There's a good spirit in the camp and seeing Phil Trainer score in virtually the 90th minute shows we're getting match-fitter all the time."

Murray said: "We came out in the second half and dominated the play, created chances and really deserved at least a draw. Their keeper's pushed one onto the bar and there were two definite penalties we should have had.

"But we've got to be pleased with how we played."