GREG Leigh celebrated his birthday in style with a brace to help Oxford United continue their impressive start to the campaign.

Jamaica international Leigh turned 29 as the U’s made the trip to a Stevenage side enjoying life themselves after promotion last season.

The hosts took the lead via a Jamie Reid strike, however a Leigh double put United ahead, before skipper Elliott Moore sealed the win with a header in the closing stages.

Leigh’s first goal was a tap-in after Billy Bodin hit the crossbar with a header, while the defender’s second goal of the afternoon was a special strike as he swivelled to volley an effort into the roof of the net.

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Speaking after the final whistle, Leigh said: “Going into the day, you’re thinking you don’t want it to be a birthday letdown and it wasn’t that at all.

“It’s not often you score a goal you’re envisioning in your head.

“I was thinking if it came to me, I want to try and open out, swivel on it and hit it. It bounced perfectly for me.

“I was just happy to get a good connection on it. When I saw it hit the back of the net, it was very sweet.

“For me to get two goals on my birthday, it’s not the worst day in the world.”

He added: “When you’ve got a game on your birthday, you’re not really celebrating in the same way that everyone else might be.

“You’re thinking about needing to get three points and to get them was massive, and two goals was even better.”

Leigh has had a rollercoaster start to life with the U’s since joining on August 24 from Ipswich Town.

He made his debut as a substitute in the 2-1 win at home to Charlton Athletic a couple of days after signing, before a goal and a red card followed in the 2-1 reverse against Port Vale.

Leigh has also been away on international duty with Jamaica, and closed his first full month at United with his brace at Stevenage.

He said: “It’s been a bit of a whirlwind but easy to settle in with the lads, the team and the way we play.

“The lads have been great, they’re a very welcoming bunch and we’ve got a good spirit.

“It’s been a whirlwind but one of the best whirlwinds, and the fact we’re picking up points is even better.”

U’s head coach Liam Manning said: “He was excellent. We know what we’ve got from Greg.

“He was disappointed as anybody with the impact of the red card in the Port Vale game, and then he went away on international duty, which made it difficult in terms of training and momentum.

“He had a good impact today, he gives us that physicality and a threat going forward as well.”

Leigh had a chance after just five minutes against Stevenage, but missed out with a header.

Tongue in cheek, Manning added: “He took his goals really well and if I’m being critical, he should’ve done better on the header in the first half.

“He’s claiming he was pushed, but I’m really pleased for him.”