ALEX MacDonald modestly sought to share the credit after inspiring Oxford United to a precious three points with a 3-0 win at home to Mansfield Town.

The winger scored twice and was involved in the penalty, from which Danny Hylton put the game to bed with almost half an hour to play.

MacDonald spoke frankly before the match against the Stags about United being in a scrap to preserve their Football League status.

So the 24-year-old was delighted to play a part in a group effort to clinch what he admitted was a crucial Sky Bet League Two clash.

He said: “It was a must-win game for us, it didn’t matter if it was 1-0 or 3-0, we just needed the three points to take us away from the bottom two a bit more.

“We got it with quite a convincing victory, so we’re happy.”

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He added: “It’s a good feeling for me, but the most important thing for me was the team and the three points.”

The opening goal came from a tap-in amid Mansfield protests about a possible foul on goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley by Patrick Hoban.

But MacDonald felt United had deserved a slice of good fortune after being on the receiving end to lose in stoppage time at Accrington Stanley this month.

He said: “I’m not bothered, it fell to me at the back post and I put it in.

“Last week at Accrington we thought it was a foul on our keeper.

“We’ve worked hard all week and we worked hard in the game, you earn your luck and sometimes you get a little reward.”

After coolly doubling his tally after the break, MacDonald sensed an opportunity to claim a first career hat-trick when United were awarded a penalty.

The former Burton Albion winger asked to take it, but unlike an incident involving Mario Balotelli at Liverpool 48 hours earlier, he quickly stepped aside to allow Hylton the opportunity.

“Of course I wanted it, but Hylts hadn’t scored for a few games,” he said.

“It’s not about me, it’s about the team and if that’s going to help Hylts and build confidence for him, then so be it.”

He added: “There’s nothing worse than when you look on the pitch and see players arguing about who is taking the penalty.”