Oxford United have moved back into the playoffs with a comfortable win over Plymouth Argyle. A Joe Edwards own goal put the U’s ahead before Niall Ennis levelled in the second half. However, a second-half brace from Matty Taylor secured a vital win.
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Karl Robinson made one change from the side that lost at Wimbledon on Tuesday night with Dan Agyei replacing the suspended James Henry.
Jack Stevens started in goal behind the usual back four of Josh Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore, who was making his 50th appearance of the season, and Sam Long.
Cameron Brannagan, somewhat surprisingly, kept his place despite claims of an injury during the week, with Mark Sykes and Elliot Lee in the middle just ahead. Mide Shodipo and Agyei were the wide men while Matty Taylor began up top.
The U’s began brightly and enjoyed some early possession, and came close to an opener from their first corner, but Atkinson nodded just wide.
Moments later, Shodipo was presented with a good opportunity following some good attacking work from Agyei, but his header was poor. Sykes then struck an effort straight at Michael Cooper.
Agyei headed over from a corner inside ten minutes as Oxford continued to dominate the opening exchanges.
Despite Plymouth starting to regain some possession, the next chance came to Shodipo, but his curling effort sailed just wide.
The U’s made the breakthrough on the half hour mark. Taylor was brought down just outside the box and Lee’s free-kick was headed into his own net by Joe Edwards.
If either side were to add a second then it looked like it would be the hosts. Brannagan spun a long-range pass to Agyei and the forward found Sykes, but his volley was saved by Cooper.
Taylor came close shortly after, but his header was straight at Cooper.
The visitors began the second half the brighter but failed to test Stevens in the Oxford goal, with the U’s defence standing firm.
However, Argyle’s growth into the game soon took its toll and they found a deserved equaliser. Danny Mayor broke into space and played a ball through to Niall Ennis, who tucked the ball inside the far post.
Lee fired over as Oxford looked for an immediate reply but the U’s would only have to wait another minute before regaining their lead. Lee found Sykes down the right and his low cross was poked home by Taylor.
Substitute Anthony Forde saw his corner met by the head of Moore, but his effort struck the bar as Oxford pushed for a third. Again, they didn’t have to wait long. With ten minutes remaining, another Forde corner was met by Moore before Taylor pounced and added his second of the game.
Defeat for Blackpool means themselves, Oxford and Portsmouth all sit on 68 points, but the U’s only have two results remaining.
