George Dugdale

Oxford United 2 Plymouth Argyle 1

(Getty Images)

Deane Smalley's quick-fire brace was enough for Oxford United to maintain their 100% record against Plymouth Argyle.

The former Chesterfield striker, who endured a difficult first season at the club, opened the scoring from close range after good work from Sean Rigg and Tom Craddock.

Smalley doubled his tally from the angle after being released by Alfie Potter to give the hosts a deserved lead.

Robbie Williams' second half free-kick gave the visitors hope, but Oxford held on to hold onto top spot.

Chris Wilder was left with a selection dilemma after the fine midweek victory over Southend United, but a knock to Lee Cox made the manager's life more straightforward. Cox dropped out, two-goal star Craddock came in and United shifted to a 4-4-2 formation.

With Oxford beginning the game in lively fashion, it became increasingly obvious that it is a little foolish to put a strict formation on this side. When in possession, the hosts' shape was closer to a 4-2-3-1 with Smalley heading the attack and Rigg, Potter and Craddock forming a fluid three behind him.

The first test for former Oxford goalkeeper Jake Cole and his defence, which included a certain Darren Purse, was provided by Craddock who cut in from the right hand side to fire narrowly over the crossbar.

Plymouth's best chance in the game was always likely to be on the break against a side who like to get the full-backs into advanced positions and it nearly paid off after 10 minutes. A quick counter-attack on the left-hand side resulted in the wonderfully named Paris Cowan-Hall tapping home from close range, although the linesman's flag halted his celebrations.

Rigg had been causing right-back Curtis Nelson all sorts of problems in the opening stages and two left-footed crosses had already caused panic in the Argyle penalty area. However, after a neat passing move had transferred the ball from left to right, United weren't to be denied again. Rigg fought hard to bundle through Nelson's challenge and cut the ball back to Craddock. His low effort found Smalley four yards out and the striker twisted to fire home his first goal of the season.

Having battled my way back to Oxford last night I would strongly challenge any London bus quips, but the important fact is that Smalley doubled his tally three minutes later. Potter picked the ball up on the halfway line as he had seven days earlier, but this time slipped the ball to his team-mate as he reached the area. The pass actually sent the striker slightly wide, but this wasn't a problem as Smalley slotted home at Cole's near post. Forget what went before. This was the first half performance of a confident striker who understood his role in the team. He held the ball up splendidly, ran the channels for his midfielders and deserved his two goals. Plymouth may have foiled a 'Smalley 2.0' headline, but the new version of the striker is a real asset to the team.

As Damian Batt flashed a strike narrowly wide moments later, it was remarked that the world would end before the full-back scored with his left-foot. Slightly harsh perhaps, but the end of humanity was looking increasingly likely as the rain poured, the thunder rumbled and the flashes of lightning brought amazed sound effects from the East Stand.

Shortly before the half-time whistle Smalley was as close as you can possibly be to completing a first half hat-trick. Craddock did well on the left wing and as the ball rolled across the goalmouth, Smalley met the ball firmly at the back-post. As the fans behind the goal rose to salute a third goal, Cole spoiled the fun by launching himself across his goal to divert the ball clear.

A pity, but this had been an excellent first half for the men in yellow. Movement, creativity and persistent pressure were features of a home performance that Wilder will hope to see on a regular basis this season.

United were dealt a blow at the break as they lost Smalley and Jake Forster-Caskey to injury. Simon Heslop and James Constable entered the fray as United struggled to maintain the standards set in the first half. Forster-Caskey's calmness in possession is a great strength and United were certainly missing the composure of the Brighton loanee in an untidy start to the second half.

One more goal would surely have ended the game as a contest and it nearly arrived when Craddock and Constable combined to send Tuesday's hero clear. Craddock had time to compose himself, but got too much height on his finish as Plymouth were let off the hook. Rigg then stung Cole's palms as United looked to wrap up the points.

A pleasing feature of Oxford's play so far this season has been the commitment of the attacking players when they have been needed to track back in defence. Potter displayed great application to get back and win the ball in a sliding tackle on the edge of the penalty area, but after a slight delay the referee deemed the challenge to have been worthy of a free-kick. Ryan Clarke will be disappointed with his wall, but there was no doubting the quality of Robbie Williams' free-kick. The ball whistled into the bottom corner to give the visitors hope. Insert Take That joke here.

The disappointment of conceding a first goal of the season will have hurt Oxford's players and they were more lively after the setback. Constable sprinted free on the left wing and Jon-Paul Pittman was brilliantly denied by Cole at the near post.

There were a couple of nervy moments in the Oxford box in the final moments, including one of the more ridiculous games of head tennis you will see, but Clarke wasn't forced into action before the referee ended the game.

The second half performance clearly failed to hit the heights of the opening 45 minutes, but an Oxford United fan knows better than to complain about three points. The quality of play displayed in the first half and the ability to exploit the weaknesses in the Argyle defence was pleasing and the balance of the side looks excellent. Wilder will hope that the injuries to Forster-Caskey and Smalley are not too serious with United facing two trips to Yorkshire in the next seven days.

Steve Bratt's performance was steady. The decision to resist a yellow card for the tackle that ended Forster-Caskey's afternoon was a strange one, as was the free-kick that resulted in a nervy closing period for Oxford. Few would have left the stadium angry at the referee's work which is always a bonus at this level.

This win saw United maintain top spot in the division. United are ahead of Gillingham only on goal difference as they defeated Dagenham & Redbridge 2-1 in East London. Cheltenham sit third with seven points after a 1-0 victory at Aldershot. Bradford are one of four teams on six points after thumping AFC Wimbledon 5-1. Port Vale were 3-1 victors at Morecambe, whilst they are joined by Exeter who returned from Accrington Stanley with a 3-0 win under their belts.

Bristol Rovers remain in the pack on one point at the bottom after their 3-1 lead at Wycombe was rendered meaningless when the fixture was abandoned after 66 minutes due to safety reasons as one of the stands was struck by lightning. Good old English summer, eh?

Barnet are bottom of the pile after York City got their first win since returning to the Football League. Three first half goals gave the United's next league opponents a 3-1 victory. Plymouth are second bottom after their visit to Grenoble Road and they are joined at the foot by the aforementioned Dagenham & Redbridge and Southend United, who picked up their first point of the season in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Northampton Town.

Chesterfield and Rotherham drew 1-1, whilst Fleetwood won 1-0 away at Burton Albion. Torquay United were 4-2 winners over Rochdale, despite being reduced to 10 men in the second half.

Attendance: 6,906