OXFORD United’s disappointment at drawing 3-3 with Rotherham United is a sign of how far the side have come, according to Jack Payne.

The on-loan attacking midfielder starred again for Pep Clotet’s side, scoring an instant equaliser after Joe Newell had put the hosts in front.

United went on to produce a thrilling spell which saw Josh Ruffels and Curtis Nelson put them 3-1 ahead, despite Ryan Ledson having his penalty saved.

But Ryan Williams kept the high-flying Millers in touch by netting just before the break and Kieffer Moore struck in the second half to share the spoils.

While the U's had let a match-winning position slip, Payne’s glass was half-full.

He said: “If I’m honest, the mood (in the changing room) isn’t too great, because we felt we should’ve won.

“But I think that’s a positive, because we’re playing a team who are also up there.

“The fact we’re disappointed shows how well we’re doing. We’ve got nothing to worry about.”

The game rounded off an eight-day period which always looked like it would provide a stern test.

A 1-0 win at Bristol Rovers was followed by draws at home to Sky Bet League One promotion hopefuls Charlton Athletic and Rotherham.

Payne said: “We’ve done well with some really good performances.

“I feel like we deserved a bit more from the week, maybe seven points, but we’ll take this because it’s now five games unbeaten.

“It’s a good little run we’re on and we just need to keep going.”

The Huddersfield Town loanee has made a big impact laying on goals for others since joining in July.

His corner led to Nelson’s scrambled effort, but United’s impressive spell was launched by the 22-year-old’s third strike of the season.

It came a minute after the Millers had taken the lead.

“The timing was very good because they got the goal up and we didn’t want to let them get momentum,” Payne said.

“It switched the momentum to us and we got a couple of goals after that.

“I feel good and as a team we’re getting better, which is helping me.”