CHRIS Wilder praised Oxford United for finding an extra gear as they controlled the second half to earn a 1-1 draw at Fleetwood Town.

The hosts opened the scoring through a Steven Schumacher free-kick in the 12th minute, but United hit back, and it was one-way traffic after the break.

A host of chances were created and Danny Rose had a penalty saved before Dave Kitson headed in an equaliser on 89 minutes.

It kept them top of Sky Bet League Two and stretched their unbeaten away record in the division to nine games.

Wilder, speaking before the Portsmouth speculation broke, was immensely proud of his players.

He said: “We got into them at half-time and we knew we had another gear.

“We started the second half really on the front foot and I thought some of our play at times was great.

“We looked a constant threat and I would have been devastated for the players if we had not got a result.”

Today the squad will begin preparing for their rearranged FA Cup first round replay at Gateshead on Thursday.