The U's Matchzone

Match Report: League One – Burton Albion 2-2 Oxford United

|
Image for Match Report: League One – Burton Albion 2-2 Oxford United

Oxford United had to come from behind twice to earn a point at Burton Albion.

The U’s were one goal down at the break, but Substitute Dan Agyei levelled things up before Matty Taylor secured a point in second-half stoppage time.

Karl Robinson made two changes from the side that lost heavily at Peterborough last time out with Nathan Holland replacing the injured Marcus Browne, while Alex Rodriguez Gorrin, who was one yellow card away from a two game suspension, was replaced by Liam Kelly who was making his first U’s start.

Simon Eastwood started in goal behind a back four of Josh Ruffels, John Mousinho, Rob Dickie and Sam Long.

Kelly sat in midfield behind Cameron Brannagan and Mark Sykes, with James Henry and Holland as the wingers while Taylor led the line in the absence of Jamie Mackie, who was attending a family bereavement.

Oxford looked nervy in the early stages with the Brewers looking to establish an early lead against a U’s side seemingly short on confidence.

It took Robinson’s side a good ten minutes to get going. A second U’s corner eventually fell to Dickie but the defender saw his effort cleared away.

Both sides were now creating chances. Mousinho saw a wayward header fall to Ryan Edwards but his effort sailed over, before Henry crossed for Holland but the winger glanced his effort wide.

Then, inside 20 minutes, Kelly stayed down and was in need of treatment. Unfortunately for the U’s, the 24-year-old was unable to continue and Gorrin replaced the midfielder.

The change flattened Oxford and Burton scored immediately after the substitution. Edwards charged forward and his cross found Lucas Akins and his effort went in with the touch off a defender.

Just one minute later, Eastwood was on hand to keep out Reece Hutchinson’s long-range effort. At the other end, Brewers keeper Kieran O’Hara was making comfortable work of the U’s crosses and tame efforts towards the host’s goal.

Five minutes before the break, Edwards raced clear but was brought down by Gorrin who in turn picked up his tenth yellow card of the season, ruling him out of the Sunderland and AFC Wimbledon games.

Just before the break, O’Hara was in the right position to deny Holland but the visitors certainly had work to do in the second half.

After the restart, Burton won a corner but Henry cooly cleared, before the U’s top scorer fired one at O’Hara’s goal from 25-yards but it sailed just wide.

Oxford were looking the likelier side to find the games next goal, but they were lacking in the final third. That was until on the hour mark when Agyei replaced Sykes and scored with almost his first touch. Holland won the ball and drove forward before playing it to Taylor, who then teed up Agyei to net his second U’s goal.

The U’s had their tails up. Brannagan fired an effort just wide but against the run of play, Burton regained their lead through Jamie Murphy.

Two minutes later, Long almost put the ball into his own net but it trickled behind for a corner. At the other end, Ruffels tried a decent effort from 25-yards which was well saved, before Holland saw his attempt blocked for a corner.

The game looked to be getting away from Oxford but in stoppage time, Oxford won a corner and Dickie’s effort was helped into the top corner by Taylor to secure a point for the U’s.

Oxford have moved up one place to 10th, but are now five points off the play-offs, and six behind Saturday’s opponents, Sunderland.

Share this article