SHAUN Derry described Oxford United as a “stand-out” team in Sky Bet League Two after watching them beat his Cambridge United side 1-0 at the Kassam Stadium.

The former Notts County boss was taking charge of Cambridge for the first time, after being appointed last Thursday.

Despite the defeat, Derry was upbeat about his side’s display against a United side he is tipping to go up at the end of the season.

He said: “Oxford I feel are a side that are going to get promoted.

“I’ve watched a lot of this level lately and this lot are a stand-out team.

“We’ve come here and given Oxford a real game and I think Michael (Appleton, United’s head coach) would say he found certain difficulties against us, which is great for me, because I’ve only had two days with the team.

“We caused Oxford a few problems and on another day I might be stood here having nicked a draw and people would have been saying ‘that’s an unbelievable point’.

“It would have been, if I’m honest, overall we’ve seen the best team win the game, but I’m proud we gave them a game.”