GREG Leigh says Oxford United remain in a good position to clinch a play-off spot, despite the disappointment of their midweek defeat to Lincoln City.
The Imps were able to close the gap on United to just two points, with two games to go, thanks to Danny Mandroiu’s penalty.
Leigh though, who tasted promotion from Sky Bet League One last season with Ipswich Town, is confident that the U’s are still in the driving seat when it come to finishing in the top six.
He said: “It’s a good position to be in, that it’s still in our hands. As long as we do what we are ready to do, then I feel like that’s a good position to be in.
“Playing on Friday is a good position because if you get it done, and then prepare for the Saturday, while other teams have to do their part.”
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Key to United’s sustained push in recent weeks has been the form of Josh Murphy, whose quality out wide has been a regular source of goals and assists in the final third.
Leigh said: “He’s playing really well and it’s one of them where the team just wants to get the ball to him.
“When he’s on form like that, the team really takes the boost from it.
“You play to your strengths, and at the minute, he’s a big strength to the team.”
Although Murphy was unable to produce any moments of magic against the Imps, Leigh highlighted how right wing back Lasse Sorensen, one of Lincoln’s key players this season, was nullified because of Murphy’s presence.
Leigh said: “I know Sorensen is one of their players who’s been dangerous for them, and when he’s spending his whole game worrying about Murph and the left side, that helps the team.
“When you can limit their better players for an entire 90 teams, that helps the team.”
Reflecting on the Imps defeat, Leigh added: “There were spells when we were good and played well, and we caused problems and created chances.
“It’s disappointing, but it’s more disappointing when you don’t play well and lose. The big thing is that the performance was still there.
“We limited them to minimal chances, and the goal that they got was debatable. It’s frustrating, but it’s not something we’re worried about. We can brush it off and go again on Friday.
“It’s important not to get too high or too low. I think we’re quite realistic in the way that we look at the performance rather than results.
“I thought the performance was adequate and good enough to get a result. We didn’t get the result, but you look at the performance and say there’s nothing there to worry about.”