Oxford United stretched their unbeaten run to nine games in all competition as the U’s edged past promotion hopefuls, Rotherham United.
Tariqe Fosu gave the visitors the lead midway through the first half but were pegged back before the break, but Matty Taylor headed home what proved to be the winner in the second half.
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— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) October 19, 2019
Karl Robinson made two changes from the side that beat Doncaster last time out with Elliott Moore replacing the suspended Rob Dickie, while Taylor returned from his illness, replacing Jamie Mackie.
Simon Eastwood began in goal, behind a back four of Josh Ruffels, John Mousinho, Moore and Chris Cadden.
Gorrin continued in the deeper midfield position, with Cameron Brannagan and James Henry ahead of him. Mark Sykes started on the right for the second successive match, with Fosu on the left and Taylor up top.
In what was a battle from the start, Rotherham began stronger, looking to continue their run from last weeks win at Blackpool.
But it was a scrappy affair, with neither side really showcasing their attacking intent.
That was until 25 minutes in when Brannagan outmuscled his opposite number before squaring to Fosu, and the winger cut onto his left foot before smashing home the opener.
The U’s then survived a Millers’ penalty appeal when Jake Hastie’s shot hit Cadden’s leg before ricocheting onto his arm, but the referee waved away the appeals.
Moments later, Fosu and Brannagan combined again but the latter’s effort was saved by Daniel Iversen.
From the resulting corner, Mousinho was unable to keep his header down but the U’s looked comfortable.
Then, against the run of play, the hosts levelled. Defender Michael Ihiekwe started and finished the move, bringing the ball out from his own half. Eventually, the cross came in from Michael Smith and was met by Matt Crooks before Ihiekwe beat Eastwood to the ball.
Cadden then made a terrific block to deny Crooks as the hosts ended the half on top.
But despite a slow start to the second half, the U’s regained their lead with their first meaningful attack.
Fosu launched a swift counter-attack and, despite losing possession, Ruffels expertly won the ball back before Brannagan swept the ball into the box which was met by the head of the Oxford-born striker Taylor.
The U’s then dominated, but Rotherham had Iversen to thank denying Taylor before Mousinho saw an effort blocked.
The U’s dominance was fitting when on 66 minutes, the stadium applauded for legendary U’s fan Andy ‘Womble’ James who passed away last weekend.
Rotherham pushed for an equaliser, but they lacked that elusive touch in front of goal. Oxford would have been wary, having squandered the lead twice during their last away day at Accrington.
Eastwood was on hand late on to deny what would have been an unfortunate own goal from Cadden, before Fosu struck the post in stoppage time but the U’s held on, moving up to 5th in the League One table.
