Oxford United scored a late equaliser to share the spoils against promotion rivals Ipswich.
The U’s fell behind with just 20 minutes remaining but Luke McNally nodded home from a corner four and half minutes into stoppage time to earn a vital point.
Here are three talking points from the game.
Tale of Two Halves
Oxford could have been out of sight by halftime and were somewhat fortunate with a late equaliser after squandering several first-half chances.
Firstly, Gavin Whyte was played through but hit his effort straight at the Ipswich goalkeeper. Shortly after, the man between the sticks denied Whyte for a second time from a similar position, with both efforts tamely struck.
Mark Sykes then saw an effort blocked into the path of Ryan Williams but the wing-back’s strike missed the target.
Whyte had another effort on goal but missed the target before Matty Taylor struck at the goalkeeper on the stroke of halftime.
After the break, the visitors grew into the game and started to take control. Their goal came from a rare Oxford attack and the U’s failed to get bodies back.
Like the U’s in the first half, Ipswich then missed further opportunities and were punished deep into stoppage time when McNally powered home the header.
Substitutions
Ipswich were on top in the game when Oxford made their first substitution. Billy Bodin, who has just returned from injury, was replaced by Marcus McGuane. The new arrival was part of the move that saw an attempted attack break down before the Tractor Boys countered and opened the scoring.
McGuane struggled to get into the game after that before Nathan Holland replaced Ciaron Brown as Oxford changed their game plan to attack.
The new additions failed to make much of an impact on the game, while losing Bodin and Brown (through injury) forced Oxford boss Karl Robinson into making tactical changes, but their backs were against the wall in the second half.
Oxford Don’t Give Up
We have seen this time and time again this season that Oxford will play until the final whistle. In previous campaigns, with Ipswich on top, this game could have been done and dusted after the opening goal.
But, this season, the U’s never said die. Late goals have been crucial and the strike from McNally was no less than Oxford deserved.
