Oxford United made it six league games unbeaten this afternoon with a 1-0 win over fifth-placed Blackburn Rovers. Oxford were in charge for large periods and took the lead midway through the second half with an unstoppable Cameron Brannagan free kick from 20 yards out.
Gary Rowett made two changes to the side that drew at Plymouth Argyle in midweek, with new signing Michał Helik coming straight into the side after signing on Friday in place of Sam Long, who suffered a knock at Home Park. Siriki Dembélé replaced Matt Phillips on the wing. United's other signing this week, Tom Bradshaw, started on the bench and made his debut with 20 minutes remaining.
United started on the front foot and kept Rovers pressed back from the opening whistle. They created a couple of half chances in the opening minutes but the first real opportunity came from Rúben Rodrigues, whose shot on the turn following good work by Dembélé was well saved by Aynsley Pears.
In the 15th minute United threatened again, this time Mark Harris side-footing a Greg Leigh cross straight at Pears. It wasn't until the 24th minute that the visitors had their first attempt, John Buckley's powerful drive swinging wide. A minute later Andreas Weimann's shot from inside the area was expertly kept out by Jamie Cumming with his leg.
The second half was ten minutes old when the U's had a glorious chance to take the lead as the ball fell for Harris, 12 yards out and with no one between him and Pears. Unfortunately, the striker's shot was straight at the visiting keeper.
United continued to knock on the door, but there was always a worry that they would rue not making their dominance count. They need not have any concerns as they took the lead in emphatic fashion in the 67th minute. A foul on Dembélé just outside the area was penalised and step forward captain for the day Brannagan, who rifled his shot past the wall and out of Pears' reach.
It could have been two with six minutes remaining as Płacheta held up the ball before allowing Will Vaulks to take over with a shot that was deflected just wide. With two minutes to go, Brannagan showed his heroics at the other end, throwing himself in the way of a shot to keep United ahead.
In the six minutes stoppage time, Blackburn laid siege to the United goal, but the closest they came to an equaliser was a Callum Brittain shot that went over.
A huge three points for the U's, who have now won three home games in a row. Can they make it four against Luton on Tuesday?
UNITED: Cumming, Brown, Vaulks, Płacheta (El Mizouni 90), Brannagan, Harris (Bradshaw 71), Rodrigues (Matos 71), Leigh, Dembélé (Phillips 79), Kioso, Helik
Unused subs: Ingram, Sibley, ter Avest, Thorniley, Scarlett
Attendance: 11,407 including 1,501 away
Fifty/50 draw: £1,483 was won by ticket 29239
Report: Martin Brodetsky; Photography: JasonPix, Steve Edmunds, Steve Daniels, Darrell Fisher
