Ryan Clarke was thrilled to help continue Oxford United’s strong recent defensive record, which included one of his favourite saves.

The U’s have conceded just once in four games and claimed another clean sheet in Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Bury.

Clarke played well throughout and made one breathtaking save on 61 minutes, turning Danny Rose’s close-range header over the crossbar.

He said: “I surprised myself with how quickly I reacted.

“To get a hand on it and get the ball over the bar was quite satisfying.

“It’s up there with one of my favourites.”

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United have been accused of being too nice at times this season, but they showed a streetwise edge to frustrate Bury, who had Adam El-Abd sent off midway through the second half.

Clarke said: “Teams come to our place and do it, it doesn’t do us any favours.

“They know how to deal with shutting up shop, slowing things down, getting on to the ref and making the most out of things.

“You’ve got to do that within reason I think. You can’t cheat, but maybe we should take a leaf out of their book, and if it helps us get results, so be it.”

United’s winner arrived five minutes from time through Callum O’Dowda.

It came after Danny Hylton had seen a penalty saved and despite having a man advantage, Clarke thought the setback could have affected the visitors.

He said: “I think we could’ve easily gone under.

“A couple of months ago we might’ve taken a backwards step, but I think the character has been really great recently.

“Even though we missed it, there was still a feeling between us of ‘so what, let’s crack on with it’.”