Oxford United's quest for their first away points of the season goes on after they fell to defeat at Bristol City this afternoon, despite being ahead at the break through Rúben Rodrigues's strike. City hit back in the second half, with Sinclair Armstrong equalising in the 58th minute and Nakhi Wells winning the game from the penalty spot in the 76th.
Oxford made just one change to the side that beat Stoke City last time out, with Rodrigues starting in midfield in place of Cameron Brannagan, who picked up a knock in the Stoke game. There was also a cameo for Kyle Edwards for the first time in 10 months following his injury in the goalless draw against Bolton Wanderers in December.
Anis Mehmeti brought the first save of the game from Jamie Cumming, although in truth the shot was straight at the Oxford goalie, before City went close as Armstrong glanced Haydon Roberts' shot just wide of the far post.
Almost immediately, United should probably have opened the scoring as Greg Leigh's cross found Tyler Goodrham at the back post but he was unable to keep his shot down. The next chance fell to Mehmeti from a great through ball but again his shot was easily dealt with by Cumming.
With the rain bucketing down, the magnificent sold-out away end burst into applause in the 24th minute to honour Jack Badger, an Oxford fan who sadly died at the age of just 24 earlier in the week.
There was a personal battle going on between Mehmeti and Cumming as the Bristol midfielder stung the palms of the United stopper, and still there was no way through for the home side.
The breakthrough came in the 28th minute. Dembélé wriggled his way along the edge of the Bristol penalty area and spotted the run of Rodrigues who gleefully blasted the ball into the roof of the net, giving Max O'Leary no chance. From creator last week, to scorer this, it's been a good week for the Portuguese Dutchman.
The game continued to ebb and flow; Mark Harris brought out a good save from O'Leary, Goodrham made a great block, Armstrong's header went just over, Dembélé struck the bar with a shot from 25 yards.
The second half started with Bristol eager to get the game back on level terms, without really testing Cumming and leaving themselves open to United's counter attacks. From one of these Oxford really should have extended their lead as Rodrigues laid the ball on a plate for Harris, who somehow placed the ball wide from about two yards out.
The equaliser came just two minutes later, and from a similar move as Yu Hirakawa crossed for Armstrong to prod home, Cumming getting a foot to the ball but unable to keep it out.
With 15 minutes remaining Harris was adjudged to have tripped Roberts in the United area and from the penalty Wells smashed the ball into the top corner to give Bristol the lead.
United tried in vain to find a response but the home side held firm and left the U's still looking for that elusive away win. Maybe next time, but first, it's Burnley at home next Saturday. Be there for what promises to be yet another magnificent home game.
UNITED: Cumming, Brown, Moore, McEachran (Vaulks 44), Harris, El Mizouni, Goodrham (Ebiowie 81), Rodrigues (Scarlett 68), Leigh, Dembélé (Edwards 81), Kioso
Unused subs: Ingram, Long, Sibley, Dale, Nelson
Attendance: 24,807 (3,380)
Report: Martin Brodetsky; Photos: JasonPix, Steve Daniels, Steve Edmunds, Darrell Fisher
