Oxford United's new assistant manager said it was only the fact that he was treated with such dignity by manager Jim Smith and chairman Nick Merry when he was forcibly ousted as U's boss just over a year ago that he stayed at the club.

Darren Patterson, who was appointed Smith's No 2 on Thursday, believes that experience has made him stronger - difficult though it was.

But although he was almost humiliatingly pushed aside by the change of ownership when Merry took over the club from Firoz Kassam and brought in his good friend, the Bald Eagle, as part of the package, Patterson said he was treated with nothing but respect at the time.

The former Northern Ireland defender, who had been boss for just three games over seven days - one of the shortest spells as a manager in Football League history - admitted: "That was a weird situation and quite a difficult one for me.

"At the time, the chairman and manager treated me with great dignity and respect, in all fairness, which is probably why I stayed at the club.

"Obviously they were were difficult times, but we've moved on. I'll get that experience as first-team coach, and hope to prove myself.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for me, and one I'm really looking forward to."

Patto will be in the dug-out today when United face Northwich Victoria in Cheshire in an important Nationwide Conference match.

Nearly 200 miles south-east, Dagenham & Redbridge will wrap up the title if they win at home to Aldershot.

But all that matters for United now is to get into the play-offs.

"The focus now is no different to how it has been - we want to get this club back to where we feel it belongs - the Football League.

"These are exciting times and we would like to get into the play-offs in good fettle, with some good performances, and good results, but obviously the next couple of games are going to be very important for us to cement our place in the play-offs."

Patterson is a bubbly character, who has great drive and enthusiasm. His knowledge of the abilities and mental strength of United's very promising under 18 players will be important next season.

"I'm like that, when I get up in the morning - I drive my missus mad - but that's just how I am," he said.

"I'll not change. I believe I'm a very positive person and I'll try and bring my enthusiasm and my positivity to the team, and if it can help them either individually or collectively, great."