Freddie Sears was understandably delighted to get off the mark for the season, with his 25th minute strike at Sheffield United on Saturday, after bagging eight goals last term.

Sears swept home from Sanchez Watt’s fine run and slick lay-off, before Harry Maguire’s speculative long-range shot deceived keeper Sam Walker to earn the Blades a 1-1 draw.

Sears enthused: “It’s good to get on the scoresheet. It was a really good move.

“The gaffer decided to leave three up from their corners, to hit them on the counter-attack, and it worked perfectly.

“I thought Sanchez (Watt) might have taken too long to pass it, but in the end it worked out well.

“I took a good first touch to open it up, and just finished it with the outside of my right foot,” added Sears.

The U’s have taken seven points from their first three games, to occupy a top six spot.

In fact, they could go top on Friday night if they beat visiting Carlisle United, and Wolves fail to beat Crawley.