Oxford United will be playing in the League One playoffs for a second successive season after a 4-0 win at home to Burton Albion.
The U’s needed to better the result of Portsmouth, who lost at home to Accrington Stanley.
First-half goals from Mide Shodipo and Matty Taylor gave the U’s the advantage before second-half strikes from Elliot Lee and Sam Winnall capped off a memorable afternoon.
Here’s how #oufc line up. Hopefully not for the final time in 2020/21. pic.twitter.com/NpQ7eBEzhR
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) May 9, 2021
Karl Robinson made just one change from the side that won at Shrewsbury last time out with Shodipo coming in for Brandon Barker, who dropped to the bench.
Jack Stevens started in goal behind a back four of Josh Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore and Sam Long.
Cameron Brannagan sat behind Mark Sykes and James Henry with Shodipo and Lee as the wide men. Taylor started up top.
Although Burton started brightly, Oxford needed an early goal to settle any nerves and that’s exactly what they got. Sykes found space and played in Henry, whose cross was headed home by Shodipo.
Shodipo then fizzed a low cross which Taylor was unable to connect with before Henry and Atkinson fired efforts off target.
But shortly after, the afternoon got better as Accrington took a lead at Fratton Park before Oxford added a deserved second through Taylor. Shodipo’s effort deflected into the air and the striker latched onto the loose ball to head home his 18th goal of the season.
Burton looked to reduce the deficit but Stevens was on hand to deny Terry Taylor from close range.
After the break, any doubts of an Oxford win were nullified when Lee scrambled in a free-kick. The Luton Town man struck his effort low and Dillon Barnes was beaten as the ball fumbled in off the post.
Everything was going in Oxford’s favour until Long went down with an injury. The right-back was substituted off after holding his hamstring.
Danny Rowe struck the bar with a cross-cum-shot for the Brewers before Henry took a blow to his back, resulting in another enforced change.
With the result beyond doubt, substitute Winnall added a fourth with real class, smashing in a half volley from 30 yards to round off the result.
The game continued at Fratton Park while Oxford awaited their fate, but Stanley did the U’s a favour by picking up all three points.
The U’s were in the bottom four as recently as early December, highlighting how remarkable the turnaround from Robinson’s side has been.
Oxford will host Blackpool on Tuesday, May 18 (6pm) in the semi-final first leg before travelling to Bloomfield Road on Friday, May 21.
