OXFORD United’s players were delighted to beat Blackpool amid conditions they described as the worst in which they had ever played.

A strong wind battered the Kassam Stadium with freezing rain, but the U’s emerged on top to beat Blackpool 2-0 and claim a fifth straight home win in Sky Bet League One.

An own goal from Ollie Turton and James Henry’s 11th strike of the season gave the hosts a cushion at half-time which they never looked like losing.

It was a professional job by United, who took a lot of satisfaction in overcoming the weather.

Josh Ruffels said: “It was horrible out there today and I don’t think any of us have really experienced something like that, so to keep a clean sheet and a win was just what we wanted.

“I think that’s the worst I’ve had here. With three stands it’s not going to be easy with the wind, but I think we dealt with it really well.

“We had the wind with us in the first half and then it was a bit tough in the second half, but we dealt with their pressure and got the goals we needed to get the job done.”

For goalkeeper Simon Eastwood, who did not have a shot on target to save, the main focus was on somehow keeping warm.

He said: “I think everybody had seen the forecast so we knew it was going to be quite difficult, but I don’t think I’ve ever played in anything like that.

“The wind, the rain and the coldness – as a goalkeeper it’s a bit different because you’re stood still.

“I had to keep moving and stayed concentrated, luckily it wasn’t my busiest game of the season, so it was good.

“As a goalkeeper you’re not moving that much so I had to stay active in my box to keep warm.

“I think anybody who was at the game could see the conditions were really bad, but to get the clean sheet and another three points at home is a big plus for us.”

Boss Karl Robinson added said: “We were looking on our phones before the game and the temperature was saying it was one degree above zero, but that it felt like minus four because of the wind.

“It was a difficult afternoon to play football and we’ve won, that’s the most important thing.

“I thought we were excellent from start to finish.”