Oxford United left it late to secure an important win over Cambridge.
The visitors took the lead in the first half but a sensational solo effort from Tyler Goodrham brought the game level.
However, after conceding a last-minute goal at Northampton last time out, Ciaron Brown was on hand to bundle one home in Oxford’s favour in stoppage time.
Here are three talking points from the game.
Tale of Two Halves
The first half was very sloppy from an Oxford perspective. They struggled to get hold of the ball while many passes and first touches were poor.
As a result, Cambridge took the lead on the half-hour mark and it will be one of frustration from an Oxford perspective with the U’s conceding from another set piece. The set piece was delivered in and Oxford failed to clear the ball before Jordan Cousins helped the ball home.
However, after the restart, the U’s looked a different team. Passing was quicker and more precise, movement was slick and attempts at goal were more threatening.
Yes, it took a moment of magic from Goodrham to get the U’s going again but there was a confidence about their display and they came away with a deserved three points.
Brannagan vs Jack Stevens
Brannagan was a man who looked desperate for a goal. In his usual style, the midfielder often looked to ping one from range.
However, former U’s goalkeeper Jack Stevens put in a solid display and thwarted the U’s man on several occasions.
First, Brannagan was played into the box but Stevens made himself big, while the midfielder also struck one from distance which was well parried.
The goalkeeper also denied Brannagan from a free kick and crucially in stoppage time, but Brown was on hand to bundle the ball home beyond the former U’s man.
Late Winner
Having conceded a last-minute goal to lose at Northampton last time out, it was a rewarding feeling as the U’s managed the opposite.
Oxford have lost points in stoppage time against Blackpool but picked up a point in the same period against Wycombe already this season.
Goodrham netted a last-minute winner in the fixture last season and Brown secured another three points in similar style.
The win was vital for Oxford, with Portsmouth and Peterborough both dropping points.
