OXFORD United brushed Rochdale aside to go ten games unbeaten and climb to fifth in Sky Bet League One.

Josh Ruffels’ close range finish and an impressive volley from Tariqe Fosu put the U’s in charge before the half-hour mark.

It got worse for Rochdale as the break approached, with striker Aaron Wilbraham sent off for a dangerous challenge on Fosu.

Karl Robinson had the luxury of bringing off Cameron Brannagan and Chris Cadden after both suffered knocks, but it did not halt United’s momentum.

They continued to probe and went close on several occasions before Sam Long, substituted on for Cadden, tucked away a rebound with five minutes remaining.

Karl Robinson made two changes to the side that beat Rotherham United 2-1 last weekend, with Rob Dickie in for Elliott Moore at centre-back and Jamie Mackie replacing the suspended Matty Taylor.

Anthony Forde was named on the bench after returning from injury, with Nico Jones missing out.

Both teams took time to adjust to the bleak conditions, with Ruffels glancing a header past the far post in the game’s first real chance on 12 minutes.

The left back had just eight minutes to wait for another opportunity and this time he made no mistake.

Brannagan’s corner swirled towards the back post and Alex Gorrin did well to nod the ball into the six yard box, with Ruffels on hand to stab home.

The goal flicked a switch for the hosts and just seven minutes later they doubled their lead with a goal of real class.

After Henry’s shot was blocked, the ball fell to Brannagan 10 yards out to rattle a shot off the crossbar.

Fosu was alive to the opportunity and guided the rebound into the top corner with a classy volley.

United’s confidence was clear to see and they began to dominate possession, with Henry just failing to connect with Cadden’s cross on the half-hour.

Jamie Mackie then had two chances to put the U’s out of sight before the break, as he headed over from another Cadden centre before being brilliantly denied by keeper Jay Lynch at close range.

Hopes of a Rochdale comeback looked even bleaker when Wilbraham received a straight red card for a studs-up foul on Fosu before half-time, with United able to reflect on a perfect first 45 minutes at the break.

Brannagan was replaced by Shandon Baptiste for the second half after picking up a knock early in the game, with Sam Long replacing Cadden soon after.

In between, Mark Sykes almost scored a wonder goal as he picked up the ball inside his own half and beat two visiting defenders to get into the box, but his shot skewed over.

United were relentless in their pursuit of a third and James Henry and Baptiste went close with skidding shots from the edge of the box shortly after the hour mark.

A third seemed a matter of time and only luck prevented Dickie from adding to United’s tally, Baptiste’s shot hitting the defender and ricocheting into Lynch’s grateful arms.

Eventually it came through Long, after a rebound from Henry’s shot fell kindly to the right back to finish into an empty net and cap an impressive personal and team performance.

Oxford United (4-3-3): Eastwood, Cadden (Long 51), Dickie, Mousinho, Ruffels, Gorrin, Henry, Brannagan (Baptiste 46), Sykes, Mackie, Fosu (Hall 75).

Unused subs: Stevens, Moore, Forde, Agyei

Booked: Sykes

Rochdale (4-3-3): Lynch, Keohane, O’Connell, McShane, Norrington-Davies, Rathbone (Andrew 77), Williams, Morley (Henderson 47), Camps, Wilbraham, Done (Tavares 59)

Unused subs: Pyke, Ryan, Wade, Matheson

Booked:

Sent off: Wilbraham

Referee: Nicholas Kinseley (Essex)

Attendance: 6,666 (206 visitors)