MICHAEL Appleton hailed the quality of Marvin Johnson and an impressive work rate throughout the team which earned Oxford United a 1-0 victory against Gillingham.

The deadline-day signing got off the mark for the U’s with a powerful run and precise finish in the 32nd minute at the Kassam Stadium.

But as the fog descended, the hosts needed to be at their best defensively to keep out a dangerous Gills attack.

Appleton, whose gamble to play Johnson at left back paid off in style, said: “We know Marvin’s capable of that and coming from a deeper position it’s sometimes harder to pick up.

“A first goal for him has been coming – and he’s got it now.

“The players had a willingness to keep the ball out of the goal and they’ll have to continue to do that.

“I’m delighted and it proves to me when they have to dig in, they can.

“But it also shows me and gives them confidence that if you start well and stay on the front foot you’re not chasing games.”

Johnson was brought into the side after missing Saturday’s 4-1 win against Coventry City due to his partner Laura going into labour.

Both she and baby Ava were in attendance despite Johnson’s insistence they stay at home – and it made for a special moment.

The 25-year-old said: “I did tell them five or six times to stay at home, but they were in a box.

“I wouldn’t let them come outside because Ava’s only two days old.

“It was great, to score at the end they were sitting and to see them when I celebrated was even better.”

The second half was played out in tricky circumstances as increasingly thick fog rolled in across the pitch.

Appleton was relieved to see the game completed, although he did see Gills boss Justin Edinburgh asking the officials whether it was too thick to play at one point.

He said: “With about 20 minutes left I could see him speaking to the linesman, but it was OK at that point.

“Then all of a sudden with about five minutes to go it started getting quite thick and you could just about see the other side of the pitch.”

United lost Chey Dunkley to a hamstring injury in the second half, but the initial impressions were it was a minor strain, rather than something more serious.