Oxford United will need to play a first-round replay after their FA Cup clash against Bristol Rovers ended 2-2.
The U’s took the lead through Matty Taylor but were pegged back before the break. However, Marcus McGuane netted his first Oxford goal after the restart but the Gas levelled from the spot after a foul from Jamie Hanson.
Here are three talking points from the game.
Matty Taylor
Once again, Matty Taylor showed his class in front of goal and his all-round display was superb. His positioning for his goal is what the striker is all about and was unlucky not to add to his tally in the second half, striking the post twice and missing one effort before he was substituted.
Not only is it his sixth goal in eight games, but it’s also a third assist in two after he played through McGuane to net his first goal in an Oxford shirt.
Chances Missed
Despite the positive performance from Taylor, the striker was also guilty of missing chances that would have put the game to bed. The 31-year-old struck the woodwork twice and missed the target, but on another day those could ripple the back of the net.
Gavin Whyte, who will miss next weekends trip to Portman Road after being called up to the Northern Ireland squad, also missed a good opportunity while Mark Sykes was unlucky with an effort that struck the bar.
Despite Oxford taking the lead for a tenth successive match, they were unable to see out the result.
Triple Substitution Slowed Momentum
With Oxford winning 2-1, Karl Robinson made a triple change with 20 minutes remaining. Mark Sykes, Gavin Whyte and Taylor all made way with Billy Bodin, Anthony Forde and Dan Agyei coming on.
While three fresh new attacking faces could have taken the game to Rovers, it in fact did the opposite with the trio unable to get hold of the game as the former three did. That said, Bodin looked impressive and the likes of him and Forde need to get more game time.
