AFTER getting a taste of the derby atmosphere, Anthony Tonkin would love Oxford United to battle with Swindon Town in League One next season.

The full back was part of a magnificent defensive display which saw the U’s beat the league leaders 2-0 despite playing for 80 minutes with ten men following James Constable’s dismissal.

It was the first league derby in Oxford for 11 years and after sampling the intensity Tonkin is keen to see the rivals meet at a higher level soon.

“It’s nice to have a full house because it took it to the next level – the fans are always brilliant and I’m sure they won’t rub it in too much that we beat Swindon with ten men,” he said.

“For us it is an important game, it’s nice for the fans to have those bragging rights for a little while.

“Hopefully we’ll be playing each other in League One next season.

“It’s great to have the derby games because of the atmosphere, no disrespect to Macclesfield last week, but Swindon was completely different – it’s brilliant for the fans and the players love it as well.”

After grabbing two quick goals inside the opening 20 minutes the U’s had to withstand heavy pressure from a dangerous Swindon side.

Tonkin and the rest of the back four repeatedly put their bodies on the line to repel wave after wave of attacks.

The 32-year-old admitted the second half seemed to go on forever.

“At times it did, especially when I had cramp in the corner,” he said.

“At the end I didn’t see the board go up to say how long was left, so when the ref blew the whistle it was a nice surprise.

“We’ve been here before when teams have had a man sent off and we’ve had lots of possession and found it difficult to break them down – it was nice to go down to ten men and pull off a win.”

It was only Tonkin’s fourth start of the season and his first since New Year’s Eve, but a knock to Liam Davis provided a chance to play.

And the former Crewe and Stockport defender hoped the performance caught the eye of U’s boss Chris Wilder.

He said: “Every player wants to play week-in week-out, but at the end of the day it’s the manager’s decision.

“I can only train as I train and just be ready, it’s his decision at the end of the day – only 11 players can play.”