KEMAR Roofe admitted he had to be talked into taking the free-kick from which he earned Oxford United a 1-0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge.

The forward took his tally for the season to 11 goals with a glorious 25-yard set piece five minutes from time, which moved the U's to within two points of Sky Bet League Two leaders Plymouth Argyle.

But after a barren run from dead ball situations, Roofe has stood aside in recent games to let teammates have an opportunity.

It was only Liam Sercombe's encouragement to step up which convinced the 22-year-old to take aim.

He said: "I've had a few chances with free-kicks this season and it got to the point where it wasn't happening for me so I passed it on.

"But a few of the lads encouraged me to take it - and it paid off.

"(Sercombe) was going to take it originally and changed his mind.

"He said 'Kemar, take it' and I thought 'I can't turn it down if people are asking me to take it'. Thankfully I put it in."

Roofe also revealed the way Dagenham set up their defensive wall played a role in him switching his aim to the top left corner, which left goalkeeper Liam O'Brien rooted to the spot.

He said: "When I was stepping up it looked like they maybe put one too many bodies in the wall.

"It looked like a wide wall and the keeper has probably gambled as a right-footer I was going in the other corner, but I changed my mind.

"With free-kicks it is mind games as well, the keeper was thinking as I was right-footed I would be putting it in the other corner, so I thought 'let's put it in the other one'."

The goal came in front of the travelling support, who erupted with delight at the classy winner.

The design of Dagenham's ground, where the changing rooms are in the stand which houses away fans, meant the United players were treated to a memorable walk off the pitch at full-time.

U's head coach Michael Appleton said: "I joked to the players before the game and said 'if there's one game you want to make sure you get a result then make sure it's today because it's one of the only grounds where you have to walk past your own fans to come off the pitch'.

"We didn't have to worry about that, it was more about stopping them coming on and trying to grab all the players' shirts."

Much of the praise was aimed at Roofe, who stayed to shake hands with many of the supporters.

He said: "It's good, I enjoy it and it's good for my confidence as well.

"I must be doing something right."

  • Video via Oxford United's official Youtube channel