Oxford United suffered just a third defeat in 20 games as league leaders Hull City won 2-0 at the KCOM Stadium.
A goal in each half from Keane Lewis-Potter sealed the win for the Tigers, who have now won five games on the bounce.
The loss sees Oxford drop one place to tenth and are now four points off the playoffs.
Here’s how #oufc start against the league leaders. pic.twitter.com/czOM8LjgjT
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) March 13, 2021
Karl Robinson made four changes from the side that won at Swindon last time out. Elliot Lee returned from injury to replace Liam Kelly while Alex Rodriguez Gorrin was replaced by Jamie Hanson. Derby winner Dan Agyei replaced Matty Taylor while Mide Shodipo replaced Brandon Barker, who also scored in the win at the County Ground.
Jack Stevens, who had saved two penalties in two games, started in goal behind a back four of Josh Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore and Anthony Forde.
Hanson sat in the holding role behind Cameron Brannagan and Lee, while Shodipo and Mark Sykes were the wide men with Agyei leading the line.
Despite the opposition, Oxford would have been pleased with their start and Agyei looked lively from the off. The forward embarked on a mazy run before crossing from the byline, but the ball eluded everyone in a white shirt.
Minutes later, he played the ball out to Sykes and his cross was met by Shodipo, but his effort was easy for goalkeeper Matt Ingram.
Brannagan and Forde put their bodies on the line to block an effort from Lewis-Potter before Shodipo saw another effort stopped by Ingram.
Shortly after, Lewis-Potter cut inside Forde but Hanson blocked the effort. However, the Tigers were starting to get on top and soon took the lead.
It came from that man again and for the second time in a matter of minutes, he cut inside the full-back and drilled the ball into the bottom corner.
Moments later, Atkinson was caught out of position but Stevens saved Mallik Wilks’ effort.
Oxford’s best chance came on 33 minutes. Forde delivered a cross towards the back post and Ruffels tested Ingram with a header but was ultimately denied.
The second half continued in a similar vein as Oxford controlled possession but lacked quality in the final third.
At the other end, former U’s winger Gavin Whyte saw an effort blocked before Wilks managed to take the ball around Stevens, but was unable to keep it in.
But the Tigers are clinical in front of goal and soon added a second. Similar to the first effort, Lewis-Potter cut inside but his effort deflected past Stevens via Atkinson.
Oxford were unable to force Ingram into another save, despite an additional nine minutes added on. The U’s welcome Doncaster and Blackpool next week.
