Oxford United suffered a first defeat in four as the U’s lost 3-2 at Portsmouth.
Marcus Browne gave the visitors an early lead but Pompey struck twice just before the break to take a lead into halftime.
Danny Cowley’s side added a third after the restart before Luke McNally netted a late consolation for Karl Robinson’s side.
Here are three talking points from the game.
Marcus Browne
With Matty Taylor and Sam Baldock striking a deadly partnership in recent weeks, many would have been surprised to see Marcus Browne replace the latter in the starting line-up.
The former loanee made a cameo appearance in the recent win over Cambridge but his selection was justified when he netted the opening goal inside four minutes.
The winger moved into the box, beat the defender with a step over and smashed the ball home for his first goal since returning to the club.
Not only was his goal a thing of beauty, but the 24-year-old ran his socks off and put in a solid display before being substituted on the hour mark.
Defensive Vulnerabilities
Once again, Oxford conceded far too many goals. Having kept clean sheets in recent wins against Charlton and Crewe, the U’s then shipped two against Cambridge, meaning they have allowed five goals in two games.
Prior to the win at the Valley, the U’s had gone ten games without conceding a clean sheet, allowing 17 goals in that run.
Now, Oxford have conceded 46 goals – only Sunderland and Wycombe have let in more from the other top ten sides.
It was yet again another changed backline against Pompey and a failed settled defence has been the main issue for Robinson this season.
Penalty Appeal
With the game at 2-1 in the favour of Portsmouth, Oxford had a good shout for a penalty waved away.
Cameron Brannagan whipped a ball into the feet of Taylor who then touched it past the defender before being got taken out. The referee called play on but with the U’s one goal down, it could have been a turning point in the game.
