Oxford United drew for the first time this season, holding third-placed Burnley to a goalless draw at the Kassam Stadium this afternoon in a game that showcased the side's defensive abilities.
United made two changes to the side that lost 2-1 at Bristol City last time out. Will Vaulks returned to central midfield following the groin strain suffered by Josh McEachran at Ashton Gate, with McEachran on the bench, while Ben Nelson came into central defence to make his Oxford debut, with Ciaron Brown moving to left back and Greg Leigh making way.
The game started with United content to allow Burnley possession, with Harris shielding Josh Cullen, forcing the Clarets wide with the U's looking to counter when possible. One driving run by Rúben Rodrigues almost set up Harris for an attempt, and the Portuguese playmaker was a constant threat down the right.
The closest we came to a goal in the opening half of the first period was when Bashir Humphreys got to the byline and pulled the ball across goal, with Lyle Foster blasting over.
In the 24th minute there was applause all round the ground for 24-year-old United fan Jack Badger, who passed away earlier in the week, with the travelling fans from Burnley also involved.
There was not much else to applaud in the first half, that finished with neither side mustering a shot on target.
United started the second half brightly, but it was Cumming who was called into action first, reaching high to tip over a Luca Koleosho drive. Jeremy Sarmiento was the next to try his luck after Koleosho pulled the ball back across the area, but he smashed the ball over from 10 yards. An opportunity squandered in a game of few clear-cut chances.
Substitute Owen Dale almost had an instant impact as his ball into the box was picked up by Tyler Goodrham, who almost forced it over the line. There followed a scramble in front of the Burnley goal as the crowd picked up the noise in tangent with the team picking up the tempo.
Burnley missed another excellent opportunity when Andréas Hountondji sidefooted wide with the goal at his mercy but that was a rare chance as the U's stifled the Clarets with a superb defensive display, showing another, more dogged, side to their game.
United were worthy of the point, not because of their own goal threat but because they limited a very good Burnley side to half chances and long hopeful balls forward. They can certainly take heart from this hard-fought draw as they go into two away games next week. See you at Luton and Portsmouth.
UNITED: Cumming, Brown, Vaulks, Moore, Harris (Scarlett 83), El Mizouni, Nelson, Goodrham, Rodrigues (Edwards 74), Dembélé (Dale 74), Kioso
Unused subs: Ingram, Long, McEachran, Ebiowei, Sibley, Leigh
Attendance: 11,570 including 1,565 away fans
Fifty/50 ticket: £1,311 was won by ticket number: 01152
Report: Martin Brodetsky; Photography: JasonPix, Steve Daniels, Steve Edmunds, Darrell Fisher
