OXFORD United recorded back-to-back 4-0 wins with a dominant display at Burton Albion.

Mark Harris opened the scoring when he broke from the halfway line and kept his cool to round Max Crocombe before finding the net.

Harris then kickstarted a three-goal spell in 12 minutes, with Josh Murphy and James Henry also getting on the scoresheet.

We had a look at some of the key talking points from the game.

READ ALSO: Our player ratings after Oxford United brush past Burton Albion

Burton’s high line

As aggressive as United were going forward, the home side didn’t half help them at times.

The Brewers played with a dangerously high line, something which caught them out for arguably all four of the U’s goals.

When Ruben Rodrigues dinked a clearance following a throw-in towards the halfway line, there looked like no real trouble for the hosts, however Tolaji Bola, the sole covering defender, miscued his header, and allowed Harris half the pitch to run into.

The Welsh striker did just that, and showed nerves of steel, to round Crocombe in a sandy and bobbly penalty box, before finishing.

With the game goalless, it seemed crazy for the Brewers to leave themselves so exposed, however kudos to United for ruthlessly punishing it.

There were huge gaps in the Burton back three when Tyler Goodrham set Murphy free with a delicious pass with the outside of his foot, and the winger raced into that open space, before teeing up Harris for his brace 12 minutes into the second half.

It was another failed throw-in routine which left acres of space for the U’s third goal, as Murphy had the entire left flank to run down, with only Joe Powell for company.

Not many players in this division are going to keep pace with Murphy in full flow, and that proved to be the case, as the winger then found the net with an excellent finish to put United 3-0 up.

Seven minutes later, Billy Bodin’s ball down the side found the excellent run made by James Henry, who was able to caress his shot into the corner from the edge of the box.

Herald Series:

New role for full backs

Since the 5-0 hammering at Bolton Wanderers, U’s head coach Des Buckingham has switched to a 4-3-3 system with the wingers high and wide, and two attack-minded midfielders pushed into advanced areas.

It means there is less emphasis for the full backs to bomb forward, with Buckingham preferring Joe Bennett and Sam Long.

Greg Leigh on the left, and Fin Stevens on the right, are United’s more attacking full back options, but with no Bennett for the trip to Burton, Leigh was restored to the starting XI and asked to play a more reserved role in the new system.

He performed well and demonstrated how disciplined he can be, while joining in the attack at the opportune moments.

The battle between Bennett and Leigh will be an intriguing one for the final four games of the regular season.

Ankle injury for Cameron Brannagan

If there was one downside to the win at Burton, then it was watching Brannagan trudge off after 34 minutes.

An ankle knock initially suffered in training was aggravated, and meant he could play no further part.

Josh McEachran came on in his place, and was a calming presence, however with three huge home games on the horizon, match-winners such as Brannagan will no doubt be needed at some point.

While it’s a squad game, there aren’t many players like Brannagan in Sky Bet League One, never mind the U’s team.

His fitness could now be make or break for United in their quest to finish in the play-offs.

Harris to hit target?

Former Cardiff City forward Harris is now three goals away from his 20-goal target after his brace at Burton.

The striker has gone through purple patches, and dry spells, this season, but with four goals in his last two games, it would appear another hot streak is beginning.

With four matches of the season to play, and the form in front of goal currently being shown, getting three goals before the regular campaign ends is certainly not out of the question.