Wrexham moved back into the Championship play-off places as Josh Windass' goal moved Oxford United closer to relegation.

Windass' right-footed drive from the edge of the area five minutes before the break was the moment of quality Phil Parkinson's side had needed on a tense night at the Kassam Stadium.

Oxford had no response and could see their two-season stay in the division ended by results on Wednesday night.

This defeat - their first at home in six games - leaves them five points from safety, with nearest rivals Blackburn Rovers and Charlton Athletic still in action.

Wrexham, though, enjoyed the benefits of rivals dropping points elsewhere with their second successive victory allowing them to leapfrog Hull City into sixth with two games to play.

The north Wales side's return to form appears to be perfect timing, as does that of forward Windass whose 40th-minute strike was his fifth in the past six games.

Here, the 32-year-old pounced on a lay-off after good hold-up play from strike partner Sam Smith to drill low past Jamie Cumming.

The Oxford goalkeeper did well to prevent Dom Hyam increasing the advantage just after the hour mark.

The hosts did try and up the pressure and ask questions of Wrexham's defence in stressful final stages, but lacked the chances or the attacking quality where it mattered meaning a return to League looks increasingly likely for the U's.

Matt Bloomfield's side welcome already relegated Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, with Wrexham heading to champions Coventry City on Sunday.

It means this weekend will be no less anxious for sides involved at either end of the table.

Still, while the pressures of the climax to the Championship season are clear and present, there was still time at the Kassam for a nod to past glories.

Some 40 years on from what is considered to be Oxford's greatest day, members of the 1986 Milk Cup winning squad – including Ray Houghton and Wembley goalscorer Jeremy Charles - were presented to the Kassam Stadium crowd.

Those days of top division will have felt that little bit further away by the time the final whistle and defeat spelt out the improbable nature of their chances of avoiding a return to the third tier.

Some home fans left before the inevitable having seen their side show plenty of effort, but not much attacking threat, and therefore little hope of a dramatic escape.

Because Wrexham underlined football's ruthless nature, on the eve of a significant anniversary of their own.

Just shy of three years from the night they won promotion from non-league, Phil Parkinson's side only needed one chance to show why their upward momentum has been full of opportunities seized.

It was no different here. As Oxford tried to match their visitors in formation and determination, Wrexham had to enjoy plenty of possession without finding much penetration.

But, with a blend of strength and sill that perhaps embodies the mentality of Parkinson's men, Smith teed up Windass when the influential Matty James sprayed a long pass forward and the striker held off his marker.

Windass obliged with a first shot on target, and the final say on the scoresheet.

Kieffer Moore and Hyam could have made the night more comfortable, the former going over the bar after a counter had put him clear.

So there was still the need to throw bodies at the ball, and to stand tall in a sometimes physical contest.

But when Oxford's Ciaran Brown was left unsuccssfully claiming a penalty when he stood shirtless in the box after a tussle with Hyam, it suggested Wrexham are not done fighting this season.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson told BBC Radio Wales: "That was a performance of great control in the first period and the second half we had to defend a lot of balls in the box with long throws and set plays, and I thought we did that really well.

"It's a strong performance against a team who are fighting for their lives, but who have also been on a decent run so we knew we had to work exceptionally hard to get the result.

"Oxford surprised us a bit where they sat off us and let us have the ball, and at times we were almost too comfortable and it was important that not only were we patient but we took care of the ball.

"Then the moment came, with Smith's run behind and set and an absolutely brilliant finish.

"We had a brilliant win at the weekend and now we've backed it up with a really hard-fought victory."

Oxford United head coach Matt Bloomfield told BBC Radio Oxford:

"We're obviously terribly disappointed with the result and extremely frustrated. We looked a little bit tentative in the first half – I thought it was maybe the magnitude of the evening.

"But the shackles were off second half and we really attacked, created a lot of opportunities, got the ball in the box and there was a load of nearly moments.

"Two games – Saturday and Tuesday – when there's not been a huge amount in either game and two well struck goals from outside the box have been our undoing."