KARL Robinson feels giving his Oxford United players four days off this week helped them breeze past Exeter City to reach the third round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Matty Taylor gave United a 1-0 lead at the break, before Billy Bodin scored either side of a Cameron Brannagan strike in the second half.

While the Grecians scored a late consolation goal, it was the U’s who booked themselves a place in the third round draw on Monday evening.

After the 1-1 draw at home Forest Green Rovers last weekend, United’s players were given an extended period of time off – and head coach Robinson praised the way his players reacted.

He said: “We gave the players four days off this week, we just felt they needed a freshness.

“Sometimes we have to be brave enough to give them that block of days, and build up a freshness and excitement to get back.

“The way they trained Thursday and Friday was excellent – you could see this coming on Thursday, they really trained well.”

The U’s went 2-0 up moments after Ed McGinty had lost control of the ball, but recovered to pounce on it before it went over the line.

“Sometimes in football, teams are at their weakest when they almost get back in the game,” said Robinson.

“It should’ve gone to 1-1 but I thought we showed tremendous strength of character after that and a real calmness in our play.

“We’ve scored nine goals now in the last three games at home, a bit more like ourselves.

“Big players scored today – Matty, Brannagan and Bodin.”

On who he would like to face in the third round, Robinson said: “You want to bring a big team here, it’s what generates the next generation of the fanbase.

“Bringing a big team here always gives you that opportunity to galvanise that fanbase.

“I always like a big team at home rather than a big team away from home.”