Oxford United have dropped further away from the playoffs after Sunderland left the Kassam Stadium with all three points.
Karl Robinson’s side certainly weren’t outplayed and had numerous chances to take something from the game but were unable to make their chances count.
Your #oufc XI this afternoon: pic.twitter.com/uKoeTXUm87
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) February 15, 2020
Robinson made three changes from midweek. Anthony Forde, making his first appearance since the start of December, came in for Sam Long, Elliott Moore replaced Alex Rodriguez Gorrin who was suspended, and Dan Agyei was given his first league start after his goal at Burton in the week, with Nathan Holland dropping to the bench.
Simon Eastwood, who was making his 150th start in goal, sat behind a back three of Moore, John Mousinho and Rob Dickie.
Josh Ruffels and Forde played as attacking full backs, with a midfield three of Cameron Brannagan, Mark Sykes, and James Henry. Matty Taylor and Agyei started as a front two.
But Oxford made the worst possible start when a Chris Maguire corner just two minutes into the game was glanced home by Jordan Willis to give the Black Cats an early lead.
But the U’s responded well and were probably the better side by the end of the half. Taylor was played through after ten minutes but the striker was denied by Jon McLaughlin.
The Bristol City loanee saw another chance come and go just four minutes later when Sykes crossed but it was just out of reach of the forward.
The U’s looked comfortable on the ball despite the dreadful conditions, and just before the break Taylor was presented with another opportunity but the cross from Henry was just out of reach.
At the other end, Eastwood wasn’t called into action but the U’s only had one shot on target themselves when Ruffels had a weak header easily stopped.
After the restart, McLaughlin denied Ruffels again from a 20-yard volley and then kept out Agyei from the resulting corner.
Henry looked a threat with his deliveries but none had the end product the hosts were looking for. Dickie and Ruffels both had further chances for the U’s before the Black Cats found a way to see the game out.
It seemed to work but Robinson brought on Marcus Browne and Holland, but it was Moore with the hosts last chance but the defender took too long on the ball from just six yards out.
