Oxford United secured their first win in seven with a 2-1 victory against rivals Swindon Town.
Goals from Brandon Barker and Dan Agyei put the U’s two goals ahead but Jack Stevens saved a second penalty in successive games with the score at 1-0.
Although Swindon scored late on, Oxford did enough to secure the win and move to within two points of the playoffs.
Here’s your #oufc XI at Swindon. pic.twitter.com/51lDnmQpSY
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) March 9, 2021
Karl Robinson made three changes from the side that drew against Charlton last time out. Anthony Forde moved to right back in place of Jamie Hanson while Barker, Mark Sykes and Matty Taylor came in as the front three.
Stevens began in goal behind a back four of Josh Ruffels, Rob Atkinson, Elliott Moore and Forde.
Alex Rodriguez Gorrin sat deep behind Cameron Brannagan and Liam Kelly with Barker, Sykes and Taylor as the attacking trio.
The U’s started brightly and took the lead within the opening three minutes. Barker picked up the ball on the left and burst forward before firing towards goal from 20-yards, and the ball trickled in with the help of a couple of deflections.
Minutes later, Jordan Lydan was booked for a heavy challenge on Moore – the first of several yellow cards.
Brannagan attempted an effort from 20-yards midway through the half but his attempt sailed just wide.
Moore was presented with a free header from a corner but his effort lacked conviction and was easily collected by emergency loan goalkeeper, Connal Trueman.
Sykes came close shortly after but Barker’s cross was blocked by Tom Broadbent before the winger could reach. He then found himself in the book after a heavy challenge on Lydan.
The Oxford dominance continued when Forde cut in from the right and played the ball through to Brannagan, but his shot was blocked.
Jordan Garrick was presented with a chance in first-half stoppage time but his effort from 10-yards was easily stopped by Stevens, before Ruffels attempted a bicycle kick from the second phase of a corner at the other end.
The second half began with a yellow card for Dion Conroy when Sykes burst through on goal, despite calls for a red.
At the other end, Atkinson’s header from a corner at the near post sailed just wide, before Taylor squandered a terrific opportunity. Moore pumped the ball long and Taylor cut inside but his effort bobbled past the post.
Anthony Grant nearly took advantage of a rare mistake from Stevens but fired wide before Barker struck towards the near post, but his effort was saved.
Scott Twine fired over from a corner before Taylor struck an effort over from close range after a nod-on from Ruffels.
The miss could have proved costly as the striker brought down Grant in the box. Brett Pitman stepped up but Stevens denied the former Portsmouth striker.
Robinson made changes. Leon Chambers-Parillon and Agyei replaced Taylor and Barker and within seconds, Oxford had the second. Agyei picked the ball up 30-yards out, ran towards goal and lashed a shot into the bottom corner.
Taylor Curran reduced the deficit in stoppage time but it wasn’t enough and Oxford held on for the win. As a result, the U’s are now just two points off the playoffs.
