TONY McMahon believes maintaining Oxford United’s new-found defensive stability will be the key to building on their momentum at Bristol Rovers this afternoon.

Only two sides have conceded more goals in Sky Bet League One than Karl Robinson’s side this season.

But they have claimed two successive clean sheets, with last weekend’s 2-0 win at home to Plymouth Argyle following a goalless draw at Southend United.

Another victory today would see them leapfrog struggling Rovers – and they could even climb out of the bottom four for the first time this season, depending on results elsewhere.

And McMahon is well aware keeping things tight would quickly lead to frustrations among the home fans, whose side have not scored in the last four league games.

The right back said: “The defensive record hasn’t been up to standard and we know that.

“But it’s been good the last two weeks and it’s given us more satisfaction.

“If we can do that again on Saturday I’m sure we can create chances at the other end.

“It’s quite hostile there and they have good backing, but when it’s not going so well they let them know.

“We’ll stay in the game as long as we can, keep a clean sheet and hopefully the fans will turn on them a little bit.”

He added: “As a defender a clean sheet is the ultimate.

“If you can contribute at the other end it’s a bonus, but you get a bigger buzz off keeping a clean sheet than you do setting up or scoring a goal.”

United have not gone more than two league games this season without a defeat, so taking anything from the game at Rovers would be a boost.

And McMahon is on a mission to help them take another step in the right direction this afternoon.

“It’s just momentum,” he said.

“We got a good point and performance at Southend, the next week we looked to build on that and we did.

“Now it’s the same this week, if we get another three points then we’ll start to move up the table.

“We can’t look too far ahead. It’s a big game again with two teams at the bottom.

“If we go there and stick to the game plan I’m sure we can get the right result.”