Oxford United will return from their trip to Scotland undefeated after a victory over Berwick Rangers.

The first fixture of United’s trip north saw Chris Wilder’s side take on Alloa on Tuesday evening. Deane Smalley opened the scoring after good work by Dave Hunt and Andy Whing in the seventh minute. That was the striker’s second goal in pre-season, having scored the winner against Ardley in Oxford’s opening fixture.

United were denied victory late on, however, as Eddie Fearns latched onto a long ball to round Ryan Clarke and slot home.

The side returned to their Edinburgh base for further training sessions and recovery work, before making the journey south to the still very northern sounding Berwick.

A United side fielding the same back four who conceded late in midweek were undone early this time around, as Josh Morris capitalised on a Michael Raynes error to slot past Ryan Clarke.

Oxford took their time to find any sort of rhythm in the game, but could have drawn level when James Constable struck a post when clean through.

The leveller would come, albeit after the break. A Callum O’Dowda corner was handled by a Berwick defender, allowing Asa Hall to restore parity from 12 yards.

The visitors secured the win with a little over 20 minutes still to play. Tom Newey rolled a free-kick across the box for the onrushing Sean Rigg – who had only just entered the game – to smash into the top corner. Think Kevin Sandwith at Kettering or Rigg himself at Rotherham and you’ve got the right idea…

The return of Ryan Clarke appears to have gone under the radar a little in pre-season and it took two superb stops from the United goalkeeper to guarantee the win.

United’s next challenge is on home turf next weekend, when Birmingham City are the visitors.

OUFC vs Alloa – Clarke, Hunt (Bevans 60), Raynes, Wright, Newey (Meades 76), Potter, Whing (Davies 60), Rose, Rigg (O’Dowda), Smalley (Constable 60), Kitson (Hall 60)

OUFC vs Berwick Rangers – Clarke, Hunt, Raynes, Wright, Newey, Potter (Smalley 65), Hall, Davies (Whing 65), O’Dowda (Rigg 65), Kitson (Marsh 76), Constable.