Oxford United picked up a well-earned point with a 1-1 draw at Wigan on Tuesday night.
The U’s took a deserved lead with Matty Taylor finishing off a superb counter-attack but the Latics pulled one back before the break.
Here are three talking points from the game.
Formation
Karl Robinson made just one change from the side that struck seven past Gillingham last time out with Herbie Kane returning from his three-game suspension in place of Nathan Holland.
The U’s head coach also stuck with the same formation with Kane partnering Marcus McGuane in the central positions while Cameron Brannagan sat further forward in the number ten role.
It meant Billy Bodin and Mark Sykes were the wide men, although the formation meant they played more narrow than as wingers.
And it was the latter that orchestrated the opening goal. Picking the ball up inside his own box, the Northern Irishman burst forward down the left before playing a pass through to Brannagan. He cut inside before cutting the ball back to Sykes who then squared the ball to Taylor to fire home.
Important Away Point
Going away to Wigan was never going to be an easy task, particularly as the draw extended their unbeaten run to 20 games in all competitions.
That said, the U’s have avoided defeat at a promotion rival and have kept pace with those around them.
Wigan edged possession and had more efforts on goal than the U’s but despite the Latics ending the game the stronger side, a point was a fair result.
Bodies on the Line
The point was a fair result largely down to Oxford’s commitment late on. Jack Stevens made a couple of saves during the game but his stoppage-time stop from Jack Whatmough was reminiscent of that at Hillsborough back in October.
Stevens wasn’t the only standout performer, with centre back partners Elliott Moore and Like McNally throwing their bodies on the line to deny the hosts a winner.
