Conor McAleny hat-trick fires Wembley-bound Oxford to comprehensive win
Conor McAleny hit a hat-trick as Oxford United warmed up for Wembley by battering Bury 5-1 at the Kassam Stadium.
The victory lifted the U's, who take on Coventry in the Checkatrade Trophy final on Sunday, to within four points of sixth-placed Southend in the Sky Bet League One standings.
Marvin Johnson put the hosts ahead in the 11th minute when he glided past three defenders before drilling a low angled shot past Joe Murphy.
Being watched by a posse of scouts, Johnson showed his quality again with a 30-yard drive that Murphy saved on his knees.
Oxford were not to be denied though, and Joe Rothwell finished precisely from the edge of the box in the 35th minute to make it 2-0, after Bury's keeper failed to clear.
McAleny then took centre-stage, netting his first of the night six minutes before the break when he turned in Rob Hall's cross. The on-loan Everton striker then added his second when he fired home in the 49th minute to embarrass Murphy again.
James Vaughan headed in a 59th-minute corner, his 22nd goal of the season, to give Shakers a goal back but McAleny completed his treble, from Toni Martinez's cross, in stoppage time.
Source: PA
