OXFORD United have given us some great memories on the road in recent years, but yesterday might just top the lot.

In the last few seasons we have seen the brave Emirates FA Cup defeat at Middlesbrough, that Ryan Ledson goal at Charlton Athletic and the crucial comeback at Shrewsbury Town in the last game before Covid hit, among others.

But when you take into account the Covid-enforced disruption, United’s poor away form and the intimidating setting, a top-class performance looks even better.

We spoke in midweek about the U’s strength in depth and the players who came in raised the standards set against Accrington Stanley.

Read also: James Henry describes playing through illness to score memorable winner

United were without Gavin Whyte, Mark Sykes, Billy Bodin and, initially, James Henry, but they constantly worried the Sheffield Wednesday defence and counter-attacked with real pace.

Before kick-off, there were questions over the decision to start Anthony Forde on the wing rather than Ryan Williams, with Sam Long returning behind him.

But the duo generally did an excellent job at stopping ex-U’s players Mide Shodipo and Marvin Johnson, with Wednesday forced to look to the other flank for their threat.

The disruption prior to the game and the late arrival would have made a slow start totally understandable, but after weathering a bright first two minutes from the hosts United quickly took control.

Ratings: Every Oxford United player marked out of 10

Key to that was the midfield – Alex Gorrin was excellent at breaking up play and there was no pressure on him to be a creative force, with Cameron Brannagan and Herbie Kane either side of him.

Those two were outstanding, with the former giving the Wednesday midfield no time to breathe and moving United up the pitch at speed.

The U’s looked so dangerous on the break and Brannagan’s link-up play with Matty Taylor was key, the striker showing again that he is much more than just a finisher.

We have been drooling over Kane’s quality in the last week, but he can also do the dirty stuff and hunted down Johnson to set up Brannagan for the opener.

HIGHLIGHTS: Watch the goals here

The U’s maintained that intensity throughout the first half and, unlike previous away trips this season, seemed to win every second ball. This was crucial to the control they had before the break.

We maybe should have expected the levels to drop a little after the restart, especially when Kane’s injury saw United lose their grip a little.

They were still able to slow the game down by winning fouls and taking their time over set-pieces, frustrating the hosts in a way many teams have done to the U's over the years. 

With their quality, Wednesday were always going to have a spell on top and Johnson dug out a brilliant cross for the equaliser, although it was not clear who the otherwise excellent Elliott Moore and Jordan Thorniley were supposed to be marking.

A word for the players who came on, too.

Henry was the match-winner, scoring United’s first goal by a substitute this season, but Dan Agyei stretched the home defence in the latter stages and Ryan Williams claimed a crucial assist.

It has been a productive week for the U’s, with back-to-back wins making that home draw against Gillingham look less like two points dropped.

It is a shame they do not play again in Sky Bet League One for another fortnight, but at least that allows us to savour a special day a little longer.