Paul McLaren feels Oxford United are starting to click – at both ends of the pitch.

Their 3-0 win at Morecambe was a third clean sheet in a row away from home.

And it was a match in which all three goals came from midfield, with Asa Hall hitting a double, and former Tranmere player McLaren himself getting his first for the U’s with a sublime free-kick.

He said: “It is important, if the strikers aren’t scoring, that the midfielders can pop up with a few goals, both in open play and from set pieces.

“The gaffer’s always on about the two midfielders either side of me getting into the box and looking to weigh in with their fair share of goals.”

McLaren has been an influential figure for United, who are eighth in League Two, level on points with seventh-placed Gillingham.

“Ever since I’ve been here, I’ve loved it because the gaffer just wants us to enjoy playing football and pass it,” he said.

“But on the other side of it, we’re defending well, keeping three clean sheets in the last four games – we’ve worked on that in training.

“If you can do both sides of it . . . dig in, keep clean sheets and keep our passing game going, I think we’re in for an exciting finish to the season.

“On Saturday, I didn’t think we played that well in the first half. Although we were two up, I didn’t think we played as well as we can.

“In the second half, we controlled the game. I thought the back four and Clarkey were solid, and I couldn’t really see them scoring against us.

“I know they got a penalty, but I think defensively we looked a sound unit.”

Manager Chris Wilder said: “Paul has brought a great calmness to our play, as has Steve MacLean. They’ve been great acquisitions for us, for our young squad.

“As I said at the start of the season, there’s not a lot of experience in there, but they control things.

“I’m delighted to be working with them and I’m sure they’re enjoying being part of this football club.”