A late goal from loan striker Dane Scarlett earned United an unlikely point in this afternoon's early kick-off against West Bromwich Albion in the Baggies' first competitive visit to the Kassam Stadium. Karlan Grant gave the visitors the lead in the first half, and it looked like that would be enough to win the three points until Scarlett headed home in the 92nd minute to ensure United remain unbeaten at home.
United made two changes to the side that drew at Portsmouth two weeks ago, with captain Elliott Moore returning to the centre of defence, with Sam Long dropping to the bench, and winger Siriki Dembélé starting instead of Kyle Edwards.
Ahead of kick-off there was an impeccably observed minute's silence in honour of recently deceased right-back George Baldock.
After a cagey start, the first opening came United's way in the seventh minute when Mark Harris latched onto a ball over the top, but a heavy touch allowed Alex Palmer to make the save. West Brom immediately tried to respond through Darnell Furlong, but the Baggies right-back got it wrong and fired well wide.
The closest West Brom came in the opening stages was from a corner that Torbjørn Heggem flicked onto the top of the net. Meanwhile, Oxford were linking up play well going forward. However, it was the visitors who found the opening goal in the 29th minute. A foul on Dembélé wasn't awarded and the Baggies worked the ball to Grant, whose shot from 25 yards beat Cumming inside his right-hand post.
United's response was almost immediate. Peter Kioso won a corner and from Will Vaulks' delivery Ciaron Brown headed just over. Oxford were grateful for Cumming's quick reactions when he tipped away a deflected cross from Grant.
Oxford came close to an equaliser just two minutes into the second half. A high press put Grady Diangana under pressure and his pass back to Palmer fell kindly for Dembélé, but he was closed down before he could get his shot away and the opportunity was gone.
A huge claim for handball in the West Brom area was waved away and referee Leigh Doughty showed Des Buckingham a yellow card for his protests, much to the displeasure of the majority of the crowd.
A Dembélé cross from close to the byline almost crept in at the far post but that was as close as Oxford came to a goal in a frustrating opening to the second period.
Until up popped Scarlett, off the bench for Harris, to paint the town red with his first goal for United in the 92nd minute to keep the unbeaten home record alive. Vaulks' long throw was headed on by Moore and Scarlett powered home his header from six yards to earn the point. Let's keep that record going on Tuesday night against Derby County.
UNITED: Cumming, Brown, Vaulks, Moore, Harris (Scarlett 63), El Mizouni (Dale 83), Nelson, Goodrham, Rodrigues (Sibley 63), Dembélé (Ebiowei 74), Kioso
Unused subs: Ingram, Long, Dale, Leigh, Ter Avest, Goodwin
Attendance: 11,453 including 1,476 away fans
Fifty/50 draw: Ticket 00388 wins £1,399
Report: Martin Brodetsky; Photos: JasonPix, Steve Daniels, Steve Edmunds, Darrell Fisher
