FELLOW goalscorer Alex MacDonald praised Patrick Hoban after the under-fire Oxford United striker broke his barren run at Dagenham & Redbridge last night.

The Irishman, playing his 16th game since last netting for the U's, opened the scoring after just 30 seconds in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie.

And just a minute into the second half, MacDonald fired United into the southern section semi-finals as they eased to a 2-0 victory at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.

Head coach Michael Appleton had urged Hoban to make the most of his opportunity at Dagenham, and MacDonald was full of praise for the Irishman.

The winger said: "It was good to see Paddy score.

"He has worked hard and had to bide his time to get his chance.

"But he has played and scored – he has done his job."

Appleton made five changes from the side that drew at Braintree Town in the Emirates FA Cup on Sunday.

Suspensions and injuries allowed United to name a youthful team, with Robbie Cundy and AJ George making their first senior starts.

Appleton was delighted with his side's performance and how early they got a foothold in the game.

He said: "The way the players started both halves of the game was superb and we got our just rewards.

"We said we would need to generate our own atmosphere, start well and fortunately we did that."

Cundy, 18, partnered Chey Dunkley in the centre of defence and was delighted at keeping a clean sheet in his first full appearance.

He said: "Before the game I was very nervous, but I'm over the moon.

"It was a very tough game and defensively we did well. I just had to concentrate throughout the game."

Meanwhile, Appleton confirmed skipper Jake Wright could be available for the Braintree replay next week, after scan results on his injured back did not show serious damage.