MICHAEL Appleton ended up putting his fist through a flipchart on Oxford United’s last visit to Cumbria, but there’s a chance he could be punching the air in delight tomorrow.

The head coach has a “bobbins record” at Brunton Park as a player and coach, which continued when United conceded late on to lose 2-1 in October 2014.

It led to Appleton breaking his right hand in frustration during a rare moment where his calm persona vanished.

Back then it was all about three points lost, this time the stakes are much higher.

Depending on results tomorrow the U’s could either be promoted, or lose control of their top-three hopes with just 90 minutes of the season remaining.

Appleton is not thinking on either scenario, preferring to focus on extending the club-record 13 away wins in Sky Bet League Two while presuming United’s rivals will all collect three points.

“We will do what we’ve always done away from home this year, it’s served us well for 20-odd games and hopefully it will do for one more game on the road,” he said

“The players are in such a place that they know what needs to be done and how it needs to be done.

“My and the staff’s job before the game is making sure they stay focused and calm.”

Appleton has not slept well this week, but it has been down to sinus problems and a tickly cough rather than worry over what the next 180 minutes of football will bring.

His composure is helped by the knowledge United will be backed by an impressive away turnout this weekend well in excess of 1,500.

The U’s boss said: “We’re going to need it because it’s a difficult place to go.

“We found that out last year. We played pretty well and to lose out in the last few minutes was very disappointing.

“It was one of the very few occasions where the lads saw a different side of me than normal.

“I hope there’s no repeat of that this time.”

Appleton admitted there could be very different emotions come the full-time whistle this time around.

“I hope so,” he said.

“Brunton Park hasn’t been a particularly good ground for me, I’ve got a bobbins record there as a player and a manager.

“Hopefully there’s a bit of calm around the corner.”