Oxford began the month with bad news after Liam Manning confirmed that deadline-day signing Kyle Edwards could be sidelined for up to two months with a hamstring injury.
However, on the pitch, the U’s made it four wins in succession with a 3-0 victory over Shrewsbury. Fin Stevens, Ciaron Brown and Greg Leigh were all on target for Manning’s men.
Oxford made it five wins on the spin with a 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers. Billy Bodin opened the scoring against his former club before Sam Long headed home an 80th-minute corner. However, the Gas, who had already been reduced to ten men, netted a late consolation before Oxford saw two players dismissed in injury time.
Greg Leigh then won Player of the Month for September. The 29-year-old netted three goals as the U’s picked up three wins from four. Liam Manning was nominated for Manager of the Month but was pipped by former U’s defender, John Mousinho.
Ciaron Brown was the next U’s player to commit his future to the club. The 25-year-old follows Simon Eastwood, Elliott Moore, Stephan Negru and Gatlin O’Donkor in penning new long-term deals.
Despite being out of contract in the summer, reports claimed that Alex Gorrin was set to sign a short-term deal with the club as he closes in on full fitness. The reports were quickly confirmed with the midfielder signing until January.
The U’s then picked up their first draw of the season but it felt like a defeat as Blackpool scored a stoppage-time equaliser. Greg Leigh had given Oxford a first-half lead but the Seasiders scored late on to earn a point.
Oxford then travelled to Wigan but suffered a first league defeat in seven games. A goal in each half for the Latics sealed but it was one of frustration for the U’s.
A winless run continued in controversial circumstances as the U’s then drew at home against Wycombe. Ruben Rodrigues put the hosts in the lead but two Wycombe penalties saw the visitors turn the game. However, Cameron Brannagan netted an injury-time spot kick to earn a share of the spoils.
Oxford finished the month by putting their winless run to bed with a 2-0 victory at Lincoln. A Ciaron Brown header and an own goal following some good play from Stanley Mills sealed the win for the U’s, who end October in second place, three points behind Portsmouth.
