KEMAR Roofe's sublime free-kick gave Oxford United a hard-fought victory to see off a fired-up Dagenham & Redbridge.

The home side looked anything but a side bottom of the Football League as they delivered a committed performance, only to be undone by a moment of magic five minutes from time.

Roofe, who had hit the crossbar 15 minutes earlier, nestled the ball in the top corner from 25 yards for his 11th goal of the season.

It was a big result for United, who has to dig deep at times, but with Plymouth Argyle losing, Michael Appleton's men moved to within two points of top spot.

Danny Hylton and Ryan Taylor returned to the United side, as Patrick Hoban and Callum O'Dowda dropped to the bench.

The visitors arrived odds-on to extend their strong run and they made all the early running.

Dagenham barely got out of their half in the opening eight minutes as United looked for an early breakthrough.

Hylton, who had set up a goal inside the first minute when these sides met in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy ten days earlier, almost did so again, but after getting in behind the Dagenham defence he could not find a teammate with the cross.

Taylor had a tame shot saved by Liam O'Brien, before the hosts got forward.

When they did it took a fine save from Benji Buchel to turn Joss Labadie's fierce shot behind for a corner.

From the set piece Ashley Chambers blazed a shot high into the noisy travelling fans.

In freezing conditions the game was played at a furious pace throughout the first half.

Dagenham's intensity and the blustery conditions meant it was difficult for United to play at their fluent best.

The visitors had plenty of the ball in the final third, but did not test O'Brien before the break.

Instead, Dagenham created the clearer chances.

Ashley Hemmings fizzed a swerving shot just over the crossbar, while Jamie Cureton headed a Chambers cross wide.

It was a waste from the veteran poacher, 40, who should have added to his 281 career goals two minutes before the break.

Josh Passley got in down the right and his low cross found Cureton, who somehow fired over when it looked easier to score.

The game continued to rattle along after half-time, but United began to create better chances.

MacDonald tested O'Brien with a first-time shot after good work from Taylor six minutes after the restart.

Just before the hour MacDonald played in Hylton, who could not get the ball under control and went down under pressure from a challenge.

As United shouted for a penalty, referee Kevin Johnson booked the forward for simulation.

Roofe had been subdued, but he suddenly came to life midway through the second half.

A snap-shot tested O'Brien after a terrific run and pass from Lundstram, before he hit the woodwork with a brilliantly improvised hooked shot which struck the crossbar.

Dagenham remained a threat, though, and Buchel made an excellent save to deny Cureton at a corner.

The United goalkeeper also got down well to keep out a shot from James Dunne, while Hemmings grazed the outside of the post with a shot from range.

It was beginning to look uncomfortable for the visitors, but five minutes from time Roofe stepped up.

Seconds after coming on O'Dowda was fouled 25 yards out and United's top scorer picked out the top corner with a stunning effort.

It was right in front of the away fans, who went berserk.

There were still a couple of nervy moments to negotiate, but United saw out the game to claim a precious three points.

Dag & Red: O'Brien, Passley, Nosworthy, Dikamona, Widdowson, Chambers (Mulraney 74), Dunne, Labadie, Hemmings (Jones 87), Cureton, Vassell.

Unused subs: Cousins, McClure, Raymond, Ferdinand, Obileye.

Oxford Utd: Buchel, Baldock, Dunkley, Mullins, Skarz, MacDonald (O'Dowda 83), Sercombe, Lundstram, Roofe, Hylton (Hoban 83), Taylor.

Unused subs: Slocombe, Long, Rose, Ruffels, George.

Referee: Kevin Johnson (Somerset).

Attendance: 1,980 (685 visitors).