Chris Wilder is confident the flourishing partnership between James Constable and Scott Rendell can play a big role in the final few months of Oxford United’s season.

The strikers both scored in Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Barnet and look to have developed an instant understanding in attack.

Rendell was playing in only his third match since signing on loan from Wycombe, and found the net for the first time in United colours.

And with Constable following up his strike against Dagenham last week with another goal – his 11th of the season – the duo could prove to be integral in the final 11 weeks of the season.

“I’m delighted for both of them,” said United’s manager.

“They were a handful all night and have done well together over the last few matches.

“It was great that both of them scored.

“Oli Johnson looked a threat and will maybe be disappointed he hasn’t scored when he hit the post.

“Lee Holmes has yet again provided a bit of quality and width down the left and put in a great cross for Scott’s goal.”

With Mehdi Kerrouche an unused substitute on Tuesday, and Johnson and Holmes playing as wingers rather than attackers, Wilder told his forward players that they need to get goals to stay in the team.

And they delivered.

“Any striker wants to keep scoring goals – you always want to get your name on the scoresheet,” said Rendell.

“It was an unbelievable ball (from Lee Holmes) in a great area for me and was crying out for me to attack it, which I did.”

Constable added: “I have known Scotty for a number of years.

“He is a good striker and it’s nice to play alongside someone like him and it seems to be paying off at the moment.”

RYAN Clarke was voted man-of-the-match by United fans on the Oxford Mail website.

The goalkeeper’s late penalty save won him 43 per cent of the votes, with Andy Whing (24%) second and Peter Leven (13%) third.