Oxford United suffered their first home defeat since November with a 1-0 loss against Portsmouth. As a result, the U’s are now winless in their last three games and have failed to score in those fixtures.
Karl Robinson’s side have now suffered more defeats in the league than they did last season. The U’s stay eighth in League One but now find themselves five points off the playoffs.
Your #oufc XI tonight: pic.twitter.com/5t0EKp0Z0T
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) February 23, 2021
Karl Robinson made four changes from the side that drew at Ipswich last time out. Sam Long returned from injury he he replaced Anthony Forde, while James Henry, Mide Shodipo and Sam Winnall all came into the fold.
Jack Stevens begin in goal behind a back four of Josh Ruffels, who was making his 300th appearance for the club, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore and Long.
Cameron Brannagan sat in the holding role behind Mark Sykes and Henry, with Shodipo and Elliot Lee as the wide men. Winnall started the game up top.
Portsmouth were presented with the first opportunity after just six minutes but Stevens was alert to block Ellis Harrison’s effort.
At the other end, Lee and Henry played a quick one-two but Shodipo took too long to shoot. From the resulting corner, the visitors launched a counter-attack and Harrison was again denied by Stevens.
Henry then tested Craig MacGillivray from the edge of the box in what was the U’s first effort to test the Pompey goalkeeper.
Just before the break, Harvey White fired a volley wide as both sides went in level.
After a tight opening 45, it took just three second-half minutes for the visitors to open the scoring. Callum Johnson whipped a ball in from the Pompey right and it was an easy header for White to nod home.
Lee and Andy Cannon both had efforts on target from their respective sides but the game began to slow down.
Taylor replaced Henry late on as Robinson changed to a more attacking formation but Pompey also added an attacking threat with the addition of Ryan Williams and John Marquis. However, it was White with the next opportunity, but his effort was blocked.
Long headed over late on before MacGillivray made two late saves to keep Oxford out. Firstly, the shot-stopper denied Shodipo before tipping Moore’s header over the bar.
Oxford will be disappointed with the result and will look to bounce back against an MK Dons side that lost their first game in six league matches.
