MATTY Taylor was relieved to end his mini goal drought as he helped Oxford United claim a morale-boosting victory at Wigan Athletic.

The striker’s effort on the hour sent the U’s on their way to a 2-1 win that moved them out of the Sky Bet League One relegation zone, but he was also guilty of spurning several chances.

It meant United did not double their lead until James Henry’s finish four minutes from time, before Thelo Aasgaard replied for the division’s bottom side.

Anything other than a win would have been harsh on the U’s, who had enough opportunities to seal victory before the break.

But they eventually got the job done and Taylor was thrilled to grab his first goal since last month’s 3-2 win over MK Dons – ending a barren run of five matches.

“It felt like a long month,” he said.

“I’m a fan and want to do so well for the club.

“Maybe that’s playing on my mind and means I’m overly eager at times.

“When it’s not flowing you snatch at things and make wrong decisions, when normally they would all be flying in.

“It’s the life of a striker, but hopefully I can find a bit more form now.”

The trip to Wigan, playing their first game since ex-manager John Sheridan left for Swindon Town, was the perfect chance for United to put last week’s wretched display against Crewe Alexandra behind them.

Boss Karl Robinson held clear the air talks with his players after the 2-0 defeat and Taylor felt the U’s responded.

The 30-year-old said: “I thought the first half was the best I’ve seen us this season.

“If I’d brought my shooting boots we probably could have been 3-0 up (at half-time), but it wasn’t to be.

“It’s almost just as pleasing to see us grind out a result when things aren’t fully going our way.”

There was more good news for United as Robinson revealed Sam Winnall’s hamstring injury is not as bad as first feared, with the striker expected to be out for four weeks.

It makes Taylor’s return to form more important and his manager was pleased to see United’s players providing chances for their top scorer, who now has four goals in 2020/21.

Robinson said: “He hasn’t been starved of service all season, but in the last few weeks he certainly has.

“If the crosses keep coming in, Matty will be in that position.”