Oxford United suffered their first defeat in 14 matches with a 3-2 defeat at high-flying Doncaster Rovers.
The U’s fell behind early on but levelled through Sam Long. However, two early goals in the second half for the hosts presented Oxford with a difficult task.
Although Mide Shodipo reduced the deficit, the U’s were unable to find an equaliser. The defeat leaves Oxford six points off the playoffs.
The #oufc team to face Doncaster: pic.twitter.com/d5yOETgLzF
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) February 6, 2021
Karl Robinson made two changes from the side that beat Fleetwood in their last league game with deadline day signings Brandon Barker and Elliot Lee coming straight into the side for Shodipo and Liam Kelly.
Jack Stevens began in goal behind the usual back four of Josh Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore and Long.
Despite a picking up a slight groin strain in the week, Alex Rodriguez Gorrin started in front of the back four behind Cameron Brannagan and James Henry, with the latter moving to the middle. Barker and Lee were the wide men with Matty Taylor leading the line.
The two new additions quickly embedded into the Oxford line-up, with both looking comfortable in the wide areas.
And it was the in-form visitors that had the first goalscoring opportunity of the game, but Moore’s header was straight at Ellery Balcombe.
Oxford looked comfortable on the ball but neither side tested the opposition goalkeeper. That was until Donny took the lead on the half-hour mark.
Defender Matt Smith found winger Jon Taylor who cut inside and beat Stevens at his near post.
Oxford pushed for an equaliser but had to wait until six minutes before half time. A scrappy corner eventually fell to Lee but his effort was saved by Balcombe before Long converted the rebound for his third goal of the season.
At the break, Shodipo replaced Barker on the left but the U’s were behind again inside two minutes. Taylor Richards found space and set up top-scorer Fejiri Okenabirhie, who found the bottom corner.
Just four minutes later and Donny doubled their lead as Richards turned scorer. The midfielder nutmegged Gorrin just outside the box before firing low past Stevens, despite having five defenders around him.
Oxford’s momentum had gone and they started to struggle to get back into the game. That was until Shodipo gave the U’s hope with 20 minutes remaining. The on-loan QPR winger found space on the edge of the box to the left and his low effort deflected in past Balcombe.
Lee saw an effort blocked before Oxford appeals for a penalty were waved away when Shodipo was barged off the ball after bursting into the box.
Mark Sykes, Sam Winnall and Liam Kelly all came into the mix late on but the U’s struggled to create any more goalscoring opportunities.
The defeat drops the U’s one place to 11th and are now six points off the playoffs. Oxford travel to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday with the Gas having failed to win in nine games.
