Oxford United have been knocked out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle as they lost 2-1 against League One leaders, Peterborough.
Siriki Dembele gave Posh the lead midway through the first half but Josh Ruffels levelled in stoppage time. But Jack Taylor won the game in the second half with a deflected effort, ending the U’s FA Cup run.
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As expected, Karl Robinson made changes from the side that won against Rochdale on Tuesday night. Jack Stevens replaced Simon Eastwood in goal while Liam Kelly, Mark Sykes, Mide Shodipo and Rob Hall all started.
Ruffels kept his place at left-back with Sam Long and Elliott Moore the defensive duo, but Anthony Forde switched to the right with Sean Clare out.
Kelly replaced Alex Rodriguez Gorrin, who picked up a knock, with Marcus McGuane and Sykes the central partnership. Shodipo and Hall were the wide men with Matty Taylor up top as the captain.
In what was a nervy start for the U’s, Forde was fortunate not to turn the ball into his own net after some good build-up play from the visitors.
Dembele and Mo Eisa were calling all the shots for Posh, with the latter striking just wide from range.
At the other end, it took Oxford over ten minutes to create their first real chance. Forde delivered a free-kick which was met by Moore, however, his header sailed wide.
The main threat for the U’s was coming down the left. Shodipo was easing past Nathan Thompson at every opportunity but there was a lack of a final product.
It proved costly as Posh soon took the lead. A mistake from Ruffels allowed Dembele in and the striker struck past Stevens. However, the U’s were convinced of an offside in the build-up, so much so that Robinson was booked for his protests.
Oxford looked for a response. Taylor fired over from a Kelly set piece before a string of corners eventually ended with Moore heading straight at the Posh goalkeeper.
Just before the break, Shodipo struck from range but Christy Pym was equal to the QPR loanee’s effort.
As added time started, Oxford found a deserved leveller. From another set-piece, Forde’s delivery was met by Long who turned the ball towards Ruffels, allowing the full-back to poke home from close range.
Moments later, it should have been two. McGuane found space in the box but failed to square the ball to Taylor who was unmarked in the middle.
The U’s began the second half the way they ended the first, with Shodipo getting involved as Taylor struck just wide.
However, Posh grew into the half and started to create some openings. Stevens denied Jack Taylor from 25-yards, before the keeper anticipated a run from Dembele, managing to intercept.
Niall Mason saw his long-range effort lack power before Frankie Kent struck well wide from 30-yards. But the signs were there. In the next attack, Taylor’s deflected effort squirmed under Stevens to restore the visitors lead.
Oxford looked for a response. Sykes had an effort which lacked power but one a few moments later from Shodipo didn’t, however, Pym made an excellent stop.
With the last kick of the game, Forde was presented with an opportunity from a free-kick but Pym made the save.
For Oxford, another season full of exciting cup runs is already over, but Robinson’s side can now focus on getting their league campaign back on track.
