Chris Wilder says that he has never lost faith in Deane Smalley, despite the forward struggling for goals this season.

Smalley’s successful strike on Saturday was his first in the league since his move to Oxford United in the summer, and his first at the Kassam Stadium.

His only previous goal came in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win at Aldershot on October 4.

But United’s boss says that with the busy Christmas period coming up, all the strikers at the club will get the chance to impres.

And Smalley has done just that, despite only coming off the bench with seven minutes remaining in the 2-0 win over Northampton.

“He’s not played regular football here,” Wilder said.

“He’s found it difficult, he understands that, but he’s a young player and we have got some decent players here.

“He has to do a bit better, but my belief in him has not changed. He can score and hopefully with being more positive like he was on Saturday, things will go for him. You never know, but little things like that can sometimes get you going.”

United’s manager added: “Deane’s part of a good group here.

“Tommy (Craddock) has come back in and scored, Rob Hall we know can score, Beano (James Constable) we know gets goals and Alfie (Potter) can hopefully get among the goals as well.

“And you can add JP (Pittman) to that because he is here again.”

OXFORD United goalkeeper Ryan Clarke has been named in the npower League Two team of the week following his clean sheet against Northampton, which included a penalty save.