Oxford United played out their second goalless draw of the week as Karl Robinson’s side failed to get past fellow promotion hopefuls Charlton Athletic.
The game produced just five shots on target from both sides, with one coming in the way of a 94th-minute penalty which was saved by Jack Stevens.
For the most part, the game paled into insignificance after the tragic news of the death of former Oxford United player and legend, Mickey Lewis.
Here’s how #oufc start against Charlton. pic.twitter.com/mLy80Lpc1N
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) March 6, 2021
Robinson made five changes from the side that drew against Peterborough on Tuesday. Sam Long and Elliot Lee both missed out through injury and were replaced by Jamie Hanson and Liam Kelly. Mide Shodipo, Anthony Forde and Dan Agyei all came in as the U’s started with a different front three.
Stevens began in goal behind a four of Josh Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore and Hanson. Alex Rodriguez Gorrin sat behind Cameron Brannagan and Kelly with the front three as mentioned.
With the injury list mounting, it looked like the U’s were set for another absentee when Stevens and Ruffels collided, leaving the latter down holding his shoulder, but he was cleared to continue.
Agyei was presented with a good opportunity shortly after when the Addicks centre back partnership of Jason Pearce and Akin Famewo got in each others way, but the striker fired over.
Former Oxford loanee Jake Forster-Caskey shot wide before Ruffels found Shodipo at the other end, but the winger saw his effort deflect wide.
Forster-Caskey headed over from close range as the Addicks started to control the game, but Oxford ended the half with better chances. First, Brannagan struck straight at Ben Amos before Ruffels volleyed wide.
There were calls for Chuks Aneke to be sent off when he caught Atkinson with a flailing arm, but the Addicks top scorer was only cautioned.
Jayden Stockley replaced Aneke at the interval and headed an effort onto the bar inside ten minutes.
Forde struck a free-kick just wide after clever play from Agyei won the U’s a set-piece, but the winger came closer shortly after with his fierce effort striking the post.
Both sides pushed for the opener and rang the changes late on, with the U’s handing a league debut to Leon Chambers-Parillon. But it was a Charlton sub that was presented with the best opportunity in stoppage time when Gorrin fouled Stockley in the box. Ronnie Schwartz stepped up but Stevens made a sensational save to earn a point.
It is now six games without a win in all competitions and the U’s have managed to score just once in that time. However, they have kept three clean sheets.
The result keeps Oxford in tenth but are now five points off the playoffs ahead of the derby match at Swindon on Tuesday.
