Strikers Scott Rendell and James Constable grabbed the goals as Oxford United came from behind to beat Barnet 2-1 at the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday night.
The win reinforces the U's position in the final play-off place but it could have all been different if Ryan Clarke hadn't performed heroics to save a late penalty from League Two top scorer Izale McLeod that would have earned the Bees a draw. United boss Chris Wilder sent his side out in a 4-4-2 formation that showed two changes from the starting 11 in Saturday's draw at Bristol Rovers.
Lee Holmes made his full debut for the club replacing Mehdi Kerrouche, who dropped to the bench, and Oli Johnson took the place of Mark Wilson, who was also among the replacements. Rendell and Constable led the line and Oxford created the best early chance of the game on 10 minutes when Peter Leven took a quick free kick to Holmes and his whipped ball into the box was headed wide by Rendell.
But despite looking good in the early stages it was the visitors who took the lead on 16 minutes when Michael Hector was given too much room on the edge of the box and his low shot been Clarke, who only saw the ball late as it appeared through a sea of legs. Oxford fought back and Johnson received the ball from Holmes and brought a good save out of Dean Brill, and the 'keeper was called on again shortly before the half hour mark to deny the same player.
United nearly found an equaliser on 38 minutes when Johnson burst forward and squared the ball fractionally ahead of the onrushing Constable, who retrieved it and kept the move alive finding strike partner Rendell only for the on-loan forward to delay his shot, which was blocked. But two minutes before the break it was 1-1, Leven launching a fantastic ball out to Holmes on the right and the winger produced the perfect cross for Rendell who headed past Brill at the far post for his first goal for the club.
All square at the break, Rendell could have added a second on 50 minutes when a Leven free kick found him at the far post only for Brill to save low down to his left, before Johnson thundered a strike against the post as Oxford poured bodies forward. The second goal arrived on 56 minutes when Leven's inswinging free kick was met by Rendell. His shot was saved but Constable was on hand to knock it home for his 11th goal of the campaign.
It had been all Oxford but former U's player Sam Deering had a great chance to level for the visitors only to fire wide of Clarke's goal when well placed. Leven then brought a great save out of Brill with the 'keeper getting his fingertips to a driven shot from the edge of the area. Despite plenty of bright play from the hosts, it looked like being a fourth draw in five games when Damian Batt appeared to bring down Mark Byrne in the box and referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot.
But Clarke lived up to his reputation as an excellent saver of penalties by denying McLeod with his legs to preserve United's lead, and give them a five point lead over the pack chasing them for a play-off place ahead of Saturday's visit from Macclesfield.
After the game, U's boss Chris Wilder said: "It was a good three points. Never turn a win down. We came up against a good side who have been on a good run. We played with a lot of freedom and the attitude again was first class. We went behind to a really unfortunate goal which has gone through about four or five bodies but I think we have deserved the win.
"The main thing was the three points. We have hit the post and had some other great opportunities so really we should have gone three, four or five but once it was 2-1 it was always going to be a tight one. We have defended alright. Sometimes when we go a goal behind here it is not the easiest time to come back but they were a difficult team to play and you have got to dig yourself in."
