Oxford United secured their second away win of the season for a vital three points that will give the side belief going into the last four massive games of the season.
Sam Long, recalled to the side in place of the injured Hidde ter Avest, scored the only goal of the game, heading home at the back post as a Will Vaulks long throw found its way to him.
Gary Rowett made six changes to the starting line up from the QPR game on Wednesday, with both fullbacks and all four front players switched.
The full-backs were enforced changes, with Long and Joe Bennett coming in for ter Avest and Ciaron Brown, both of whom had to go off injured in midweek. Up top, there were starts for Wednesday's goalscorer Stan Mills on the right, Alex Matos in the hole and Tyler Goodrham on the left, with Przemysław Płacheta, Ole Romeny and Siriki Dembélé making way. Tom Bradshaw took over the striker's role from Mark Harris.
After a cagey opening it was United that created the first chance, with Vaulks' shot from the edge of the area against his former club requiring Pierce Charles to push the ball aside for the game's first corner, which then caused some consternation among the Wednesday defence.
Jamie Cumming had to be alert to keep out Yan Valery's drive as the home side started to turn up the pressure, but Oxford always looked threatening on the break, and from one Goodrham free kick the ball came out to Cameron Brannagan, whose thunderous drive from 20 yards flew just wide, while Mills had an attempt that he curled wide.
Anthony Musaba had a couple of presentable opportunities to give Wednesday the lead before a great move involving Long and Michał Helik ended with Bradshaw firing just over. United went close again when Matos's low cross fell nicely for Goodrham, who forced a good save from Charles, with Brannagan firing the rebound over.
United started the second period well, on the front foot, holding onto the ball and keeping the home side penned back. When Wednesday did attack, United funnelled back and snuffed out any danger.
As the U's turned up the pressure there were huge shouts for handball from a Vaulks throw. From his next effort, Bennett returned the clearance into the area, with Charles spilling it with another corner resulting. From this, Charles did excellently to tip over Ben Nelson's shot.
It was yet another Vaulks throw that brought a goal for United, with Long lurking at the back post to head home to spark great scenes from the Yellow Army behind the goal.
From then on, it was a matter of seeing the game out to seal the vital three points that could be huge come the end of the season.
The win will give the side huge confidence going into the Easter period, starting with the visit of top-of-the-table Leeds United on Good Friday.
UNITED: Cumming, Long, Vaulks, Brannagan, Bennett (Leigh 90+2), Nelson, Matos (Rodrigues 64), Goodrham (Płacheta 79), Mills (Phillips 64), Helik, Bradshaw (Harris 64)
Unused subs: Ingram, Romeny, El Mizouni, Dembélé
Attendance: 25,646 (away TBA)
Report: Martin Brodetsky; Photography: JasonPix, Steve Edmunds
