JACK Stevens knows concentration is key if he is to continue his excellent form as Oxford United’s No 1.

The 23-year-old heads into tonight’s Sky Bet League One trip to Rochdale on the back of a fifth clean sheet in eight games against Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

While Matty Taylor’s double grabbed the headlines, Stevens brilliantly tipped over Brandon Hanlan’s curling effort at 2-0 with 24 minutes still to play, including stoppage time.

It was the goalkeeper’s first meaningful stop of the match, but says his quiet afternoon until that point would have been no excuse if the ball had found the net.

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He said: “That’s the life of a keeper.

“Everyone sees your bad moments and the good moments are expected.

“I’ve got a bit of experience behind me and I’ve just got to keep working hard every day in training.”

Stevens has benefitted from the experience of Simon Eastwood, who he replaced in the starting line-up, and goalkeeping coach Wayne Brown.

And he revealed the latter’s advice never stops.

He said: “At half-time (against Rovers) Wayne Brown said to me there would be one moment.

“It’s a battle of concentration.

“He was right and thankfully I managed to make the save.

“I always think saves are better in important moments.

“If that drops in they really put the pressure on in the last 15 minutes.”

United have gone eight league matches unbeaten since Stevens came into the side for the 0-0 draw with Ipswich Town on December 1, but he has also benefitted from a settled back four in front of him.

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Sam Long, Elliott Moore, Rob Atkinson and Josh Ruffels have been ever-present throughout that run, other than Atkinson missing the 4-0 win over Northampton Town on December 15.

It has enabled the defence to quickly build a rapport, which is particularly important considering Stevens’ preference to play as a sweeper-keeper.

He said: “I like to play a high line and stop the chances before they even happen.

“That gives the centre halves confidence, as if the ball goes over the top of them they know where I am.

“I’m always talking to them and we’ve built up a nice relationship over the last few games.”

U’s boss Karl Robinson added: “If you took a screenshot of our midfield and our back four at the beginning of the season to now, you’d see a minimum of 15 yards difference in the aggressive line they’re taking.

“Our goalkeeper’s probably 15 yards higher up as well.”