DEREK Fazackerley diverted all the praise on to his players and the Oxford United supporters for a victory which saw them take a big step towards safety.

Goals from Rob Dickie and James Henry saw off in-form Peterborough United 2-1 at a freezing Kassam Stadium.

It was only a second win in eight games under Fazackerley’s caretaker charge, but it could prove to be highly significant.

They climbed two places in the Sky Bet League One table, but more importantly stretched the gap to the relegation zone from four points to six.

With U’s owner Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth expecting to appoint a new manager this week, there is every chance it was Fazackerley’s last as boss.

If it proved to be his swansong, the victory – set up by a bold, attacking selection – was a fitting way to finish, but the coach did not seek the limelight.

“Certainly my record prior to this wouldn’t be very great,” he said.

“I’m just pleased for the players because as I’ve said on many occasions they’ve deserved more, but unfortunately things haven’t quite gone as well as we would have anticipated recently.

“When you win a game you’ve done everything right and when you lose you’ve done everything wrong, everybody knows that.

“It was very important given the situation where we were drifting towards the teams below us and now we’ve opened the gap up a little bit.”

There were concerns before the game about a tense atmosphere at the Kassam Stadium, where the U’s had lost six of their last nine.

But they responded to the hosts’ committed performance and helped them get over the line when Peterborough pushed for an equaliser.

Fazackerley said: “The supporters were fantastic.

“Whether they were clapping at us or clapping to keep warm, whatever it was it worked.

“I’m glad they got their reward. They deserve that victory as much as anybody.”

Fazackerley’s own position at the club is vulnerable, depending on whether the new manager brings coaching staff with him.

The 66-year-old appears to have been given some indication over what happens next, but remains tight-lipped.

He said: “There are things that have been discussed which I don’t really want to say too much about at this moment.

“I’m more than happy to work for this football club, everybody knows that. If that’s the case then we crack on and if not then I crack on. We’ll see what happens.”