April 17, 2021: Oxford United 3 (Winnall 74, Long 84 & 90+3), Gillingham 2 (Oliver 40, Cundy 72)

IT was one of Oxford United’s greatest comebacks of recent years – and proved pivotal as they gatecrashed the top six.

The club’s 2020/21 promotion hopes had already looked over once. An Easter Monday defeat to Accrington Stanley left the U’s 12th in Sky Bet League One, six points shy of the play-off places and with fewer games left than the teams around them.

Fast forward 12 days, though, and they were right back in it.

A record-equalling Football League away win at Crewe Alexandra and a 4-1 home victory over Shrewsbury Town saw ten goals from ten different players, slashing the gap to the play-off places to three points as they climbed to seventh.

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United hosted Gillingham in a Saturday teatime kick-off, with all League One games moved from their normal 3pm slot due to the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.

Sixth-placed Portsmouth lost 1-0 at MK Dons earlier that day, meaning a win would see the U’s climb into the play-off places for the first time all season.

Gillingham, meanwhile, still had faint hopes of promotion and arrived at the Kassam Stadium just three points behind United.

The game was played on the visitors’ terms from the start, as they slowed the tempo whenever possible and utilised right back Ryan Jackson’s long throws.

United had moved the Kassam Stadium advertising boards closer to the pitch to minimise that particular tactic, but it led to the opening goal just before the break.

Vadaine Oliver challenged for a long throw and reacted quickest to turn and fire into the far corner when the ball fell loose.

Gillingham had the hosts where they wanted them and doubled the lead 18 minutes from time, thanks to two former U’s players.

United failed to clear a set-piece and winger Jordan Graham drilled a cross into the six-yard box, with defender Robbie Cundy applying the finishing touch.

Once again, the U’s play-off hopes appeared to be fading into the distance – but they took two minutes to hit back.

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Sam Winnall, on as a substitute just nine minutes earlier, fired inside the far post and suddenly United were on top.

Enter Sam Long, who had already enjoyed a memorable week, scoring against Shrewsbury the day after signing a new contract.

With six minutes left, the right back met Josh Ruffels’ cross and headed into the top corner to haul the U’s level.

United did not stop there and Long popped up in the penalty area again three minutes into stoppage-time, poking home to spark wild scenes among players and stuff.

The only frustration was that U’s fans could not join the celebrations, with games still behind closed doors due to Covid restrictions.

After finally climbing into the top six, United dropped out again following their 2-1 defeat at AFC Wimbledon 72 hours later.

They kept the pressure on, though, and a 4-0 final-day win over Burton Albion saw them leapfrog Portsmouth into the last play-off spot.