Jonté Smith did his chances of earning a place in Oxford United’s first team no harm after an impressing display for the club’s under-23 side in a training match against his former club Crawley Town yesterday.

The Bermuda striker scored a penalty and was unfortunate not to grab another after hitting the bar in his side’s 3-2 win.

United went ahead in the second minute through winger Kyran Lofthouse who then grabbed another just after the half-hour mark.

Crawley got a foothold in the match after pulling a goal back on the stroke of half-time.

However, Smith restored his team’s two-goal advantage, converting a penalty in the second half.

Crawley scored again late on but were unable to make further inroads as United held on.

“It was difficult in very windy conditions, but we used them well in the first half and then adapted after the break,” Chris Allen, the Oxford United under-23 coach, said.

“We made a number of chances: Jonté hit the bar as well as scoring his penalty and overall we were pleased with the way we played.

“It was a chance to give players a game and a decent warm-up for next week when we play Hull City at Thame on Tuesday in the Premier League Cup.”

Smith completed a transfer deadline day move to Sky Bet League One side United from non-League Lewes last week.

The 24-year-old left Lewes for an undisclosed fee to join Oxford on a contract that expires at the end of the season.