Oxford United’s playoff hopes were dealt a significant blow as the U’s lost 2-1 at home against Accrington Stanley.
The result drops the U’s to 12th, with Stanley moving above, but are now six points from the sixth spot. Oxford have now suffered four defeats in their last four games.
Here’s how #oufc line-up against Accrington. pic.twitter.com/FVmSQBcoOG
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) April 5, 2021
Karl Robinson made two changes from the side that lost at Sunderland on Good Friday with Sam Long returning in place of Anthony Forde while Lee replaced the suspended Mark Sykes.
Jack Stevens, who had been subject to a move to Middlesbrough over the weekend, started in goal behind a back four of Jamie Hanson, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore and Long.
Cameron Brannagan continued in the holding role in the absence of Alex Rodriguez Gorrin with Lee and James Henry in the middle. Brandon Barker and Mide Shodipo were the wide men with Matty Taylor up top.
Accrington began the game the brighter of the two sides, while Oxford looked nervy in the opening exchanges. Despite that, the best early attempts fell to James Henry who saw a free-kick easily saved by Toby Savin before a 20-yard effort sailed just wide.
Accrington came forward again and Stevens was forced to push wide an effort from Paul Smyth. From the resulting corner, the visitors thought they took the lead but the officials decided the ball hadn’t crossed the line from a goalmouth scramble.
However, moments later, Smyth did find the back of the net. The forward received the ball in midfield, took a couple of touches and smashed an effort past Stevens.
Five minutes later, Smyth saw a free-kick attempt go straight at Stevens before Matt Butcher also tested the U’s goalkeeper.
The misses would prove costly as Oxford drew themselves level with their first effort on target. Long found Taylor inside the box and the forward patiently laid the ball to Lee who found the bottom corner.
At the other end, Sean McConville saw his free-kick strike the post before Stevens blocked the follow-up. McConville came close again shortly after but his effort sailed wide.
The U’s then saw a penalty appeal waved away when Taylor went down under Michael Nottingham’s challenge.
Oxford came close twice in first-half stoppage time. First, Seamus Conneely almost headed Shodipo’s corner into his net, before Taylor’s touch from Brannagan’s cross went just wide.
The second half started slower than the first and it took some time for an opening opportunity. When it did come, Stanley will question how they failed to regain the lead. The visitors were three on one and Dion Charles rounded Stevens but Shodipo cleared off the line.
At the other end, Taylor sent Lee away but Savin pushed his effort away. Henry went for goal from the resulting corner but it sailed over.
Barker then struck an effort that went behind via a deflection but Atkinson was unable to turn home Brannagan’s corner. Hanson found Henry, but his shot was blocked before Shodipo forced Savin into a save as Oxford started to get on top.
But against the run of play, Stanley regained the lead. A deep free-kick was headed down and Nottingham fired home from 12-yards
At the other end, Moore saw an effort blocked with the goal open. Barker then had the next best chance, but his effort sailed wide after cutting inside.
The U’s were unable to find any more attempts and the result leaves the possibility of finishing in the top six very slim.
