Oxford United suffered a seventh league defeat of the season as they were on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline against Crewe.
A goal in each half from Mikael Mandron and Owen Dale gave Alex a deserved three points against an Oxford side that remain in the bottom four.
Your #oufc XI tonight: pic.twitter.com/FqszAuG9Gh
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) November 17, 2020
Karl Robinson made two changes from the last league side that beat Rochdale two weeks ago, with Mark Sykes and Mide Shodipo replacing Marcus McGuane and Dan Agyei.
Simon Eastwood returned in goal after Jack Stevens began the last two cup games, behind a back four of Josh Ruffels, Sam Long – who was making his 100th U’s appearance – Elliott Moore and Sean Clare.
Alex Rodriguez Gorrin sat deep with Sykes and Anthony Forde in the centre of midfield. Shodipo and James Henry started as the wide men with Matty Taylor leading the line.
Crewe, who saw off the league leaders Peterborough at the weekend, arrived full of confidence and started the stronger side. Despite their early possession, the visitors had to wait until midway through the half before creating their first opportunity as Tom Lowery stole the ball from Gorrin, but his effort sailed wide from distance.
Crewe looked dangerous down their left. The combination of Harry Pickering and Charlie Kirk, a partnership that had already netted seven goals between them, looked more than comfortable both defensively and offensively.
The duo were involved for the game’s opener. Clare hesitated on the ball before Oli Finney got a touch to wrong-foot Eastwood, although the goal was awarded to Mandron.
Moments later and the visitors could have doubled their lead. Moore carelessly lost the ball, allowing Finney to find Mandron, but the striker smashed the ball over the bar when one-on-one with Eastwood.
Kirk had an opportunity late in the half, but it sailed wide as the U’s headed into the tunnel relieved just to be one goal down.
In the second half, Oxford continued in failing to create any openings. Sam Winnall and Jordan Obita came on for the U’s and within seconds, Winnall had the first attempt on target but his header was easy to deal with for Will Jaaskelainen.
Suddenly, Oxford slowly started to grow into the game. A decent spell produced several set pieces, one of which came from the two substitutes, but Winnall was unable to keep the ball down.
It proved costly as Crewe grew back into the game. Eastwood brilliantly denied Omar Beckles’ header before Mandron’s rebound appeared to striker Henry on the arm while on the line, but no penalty was awarded.
It wasn’t a worry though. Winnall had to be taken off after picking up a knock, leaving the U’s to are out the final few minutes with ten men having already made all three changes, before Dale slotted home a late second to seal the points for the visitors.
Oxford travel to Wigan this weekend with the Latics bottom of the League One table on seven points, just two behind the U’s.
