OXFORD United boss Karl Robinson credited his side for keeping their cool to get themselves out of relegation trouble in Sky Bet League One.

Their safety was confirmed with a game to spare thanks to a 2-1 win against Rochdale, which was their third victory in the last four games.

They had to do it the hard way against Dale, who took the lead just before the hour mark.

But penalties from John Mousinho and Todd Kane lifted United to 14th place ahead of next Saturday's final game of the campaign at Blackburn Rovers.

Robinson said: "I think the most important thing is there has been a tremendous calmness around the place.

"Me and Faz (assistant Derek Fazackerley) have seen a lot of things in football and we didn’t carried away with the emotion of it.

"We were very calm with our plan and preparation. The players delivered and the fans did as well, which is great."

United had missed four of their eight penalties this season before the game and Mousinho took over responsibility to score his first goal since September 2014.

But he declined the chance to take a second spot kick.

The skipper said: "We’ve had a couple of five-a-side games on Fridays where they have ended in draws and we’ve taken penalties.

"I was just happy to take it. I looked around the pitch and thought everyone else is off, so I’ll have it.

"I didn’t have a plan for my second penalty, because I didn’t think I’d be taking two.

"By that point my back had completely seized up and Todd said he was alright with it. "

I thought ‘fair enough’ and he was calm and collected."

Rob Hall won the second penalty, which was the last in a succession of fouls on the winger after he came on as a substitute.

He said: "I feel that’s one of my strong points, running with the ball.

"I was a bit rusty before that, but I think the tackles I received woke me up a bit.

"I wasn’t happy about them, but some teams are there to be run at.

"As soon as I came on they man-marked me a bit, which was a bit frustrating.

"But when we moved the ball a bit quicker the gaps started to open up for everyone."