MICHAEL Appleton admitted it would take an extraordinary combination of results for Oxford United to get relegated after they reached the 50-point mark with a goalless draw against York City.

A bumper crowd of almost 9,500 at the Kassam Stadium witnessed a game of few chances, with the clearest openings squandered by Joe Skarz and Patrick Hoban.

It may have been an underwhelming contest compared to the 3-2 Good Friday win at Wycombe Wanderers, but the four-point haul confirmed a happy Easter.

United now sit 11 points clear of the bottom two and with only 15 available, they can plan ahead with confidence knowing they will be playing in Sky Bet League Two next season.

Appleton thought his side’s efforts at Wycombe contributed to them not hitting the same heights against York, but felt the club could stop looking over their shoulders.

“I think it would be an absolute disaster for us to go down right now,” he said.

“To find us where we are now is quite satisfying.

“Ten games ago lots of people were writing us off and saying we were doomed and going to get relegated, but there’s still 15 points to play for and we want to finish as high as we can.”

He added: “I think the second half proved how much the Wycombe game took out of us.

“It was a game in the second half that always looked like it was going to be 0-0.

“I didn’t think we were going to concede, other than from a set play.

“They have got some big boys, the three centre halves are absolute giants.

“I thought we did well to deal with that and again we’ve had the three best opportunities.”

The Bank Holiday game, helped by glorious spring sunshine and special ticket offers from United, attracted the biggest home crowd of the season.

Midfielder Michael Collins was frustrated the side could not reward the impressive support with the kind of display they produced at Wycombe.

He said: “That’s the disappointing thing.

“We thank the fans for coming in their numbers to the game, it makes a big difference and there was a really positive atmosphere in the ground.

“I thought we created all the chances and there was only one team that was ever going to win the game.

“But credit to York, they came and did a really solid defensive job.”