LIAM Sercombe believes Oxford United’s form will have the sides in the race for the Sky Bet League One play-offs looking nervously over their shoulders.

Michael Appleton’s side are in the bottom half of the table, but Sunday’s 2-1 win at Swindon Town was their ninth success in the last dozen league and cup outings.

Although United’s ongoing commitments in the Emirates FA Cup and Checkatrade Trophy make bridging the gap a mammoth task, it happened last season.

Barnsley had one point fewer at this stage 12 months ago than the U’s have now, but went on to finish sixth and go up via the play-offs.

Despite the fixture congestion which is looming, Sercombe, who scored against Swindon, is upbeat.

He said: “We’re on a great run and when you have a bit of momentum you just have to keep going.

“We’ve got so many games coming up, but I can’t wait.

“Hopefully we can move up the table. We have games in hand on teams and they will be looking at us.

“At the moment we’re flying, we’re looking up and we want those play-offs. We’re capable of doing it.

“The only place I want to go with this team is into the Championship. “

Barnsley needed to win ten of their final 18 games to squeeze into sixth place on goal difference last May.

United, who lost to the Tykes in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final at Wembley during the run-in, would need something similar to repeat the feat.

Head coach Michael Appleton has a more short-term goal before he considers a charge.

He said: “We’re not daft, we know people will be thinking about it.

“We have a lot of games and a couple of fantastic cup ties to look forward to, so there’s no point looking too far ahead.

“With five or six games to go if we’re a few points off it then it’s squeaky bum time for everyone.

“Our first target is 50 points, so we’ve got ten to go and once we get there if we’re in and around it, then game on – let’s see what we’ve got.”