OXFORD United set the standard they must aspire to hit in every game with the way Coventry City were despatched, according to Kane Hemmings.

The striker was involved in all three goals during a terrific first half which paved the way for a 4-1 victory at the Kassam Stadium.

It was the club’s biggest victory in the third tier since the 4-0 promotion-clinching triumph over Peterborough United in May 1996.

More importantly, the performance was just what was required following a four-game winless run in Sky Bet League One.

Hemmings said: “If we didn’t get a result here then you don’t know where we could have ended up – we were already in 20th place.

“I don’t think there’s a secret behind it – any game where we’ve started with that kind of intensity we’ve gone on to win this season.

“We need to do that in every game.

“You have to go out and want to win. What I mean by that is showing desire all over the pitch – tackling, closing people down, putting your head in where it hurts.

“Everyone’s delighted because it was a big game for us and we needed the three points.”

United had been questioned by head coach Michael Appleton after a 2-0 defeat to rock-bottom Shrewsbury Town the previous week.

The squad had spent extra time off the field last week analysing what was going wrong and midfielder Ryan Ledson was thrilled with what followed.

He said: “I think you’ve got to come down before you go back up.

“After a long but very good week of talking and training we’ve taken it into the game, which is brilliant.”

Hemmings opened the scoring with his first goal at the Kassam Stadium and it was his shot which hit Jamie Sterry to make it 2-0.

It was recorded as an own goal but the striker, whose display merited more than a single strike, insisted he would try to have it overturned.

“I’m going to claim it, 100 per cent,” he said. “I don’t know if I’ll get it or not, but you need to try.

“I thought that was probably the best performance I’ve put in since I’ve come here.

“I’ve not been pleased that I haven’t scored here, so I’m delighted to get it out of the way and hopefully there’s a lot more to come.”