Oxford United lost 2-0 to West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns following a first half goal from Alex Mowatt and a stoppage time breakaway goal from John Swift.
Gary Rowett made five changes to the side that lost to Portsmouth last Saturday, with a first start for Dutch forward Ole Romeny and Joe Bennett's first appearance at left back since the Preston North End home game on 31 August. There were also starts for Matt Phillips against his former club, Alex Matos and Tyler Goodrham.
West Brom had an early chance as Adam Armstrong was played through in just the second minute, but Jamie Cumming timed his intervention well to come out and clear the ball from danger.
In the 11th minute the home side took the lead and it was former United midfielder Mowatt who broke through the lines to calmly slip the ball past Cumming to give the Baggies the perfect start.
United often looked dangerous on the break, with the pace of Przemysław Płacheta causing problems down the right for the U's and Romeny impressing up front.
United still had to be on their guard and they were grateful to Cumming for an excellent save down to his right from an Armstrong volley from the edge of the area.
Oxford started the second half on the front foot, with Płacheta the main outlet, although United were happy to see an Armstrong free kick sail over the bar five minutes in.
Cumming again came to United's rescue in the 69th minute with an outstanding one-handed save to palm over a Mowatt drive from distance.
With there still being one goal in it going into the final 10 minutes there was still something for United to chase and they were denied a penalty appeal for handball when substitute Will Vaulks returned a free kick into the area - Oxford are still waiting for their first spot kick this season.
There was late concern for United in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Bennett had to leave the field with an injury, leaving the U's down to ten men having used their substitute allocation.
West Brom won the game with a late, late breakaway goal by Swift, as Cumming joined his nine colleagues in the Baggies area for a United corner that they desperately tried to convert unsuccessfully, leaving United's goal unguarded despite the best efforts of Ciaron Brown to get back and challenge.
A harsh score line given Oxford's second-half endeavours, but back on home turf next Saturday for the visit of Coventry City (12:30pm kick off).
UNITED: Cumming, Brown, Płacheta (Dembélé 74), Brannagan, Phillips (Mills 64) Romeny (Harris 87), Bennett, Matos (Vaulks 63), Goodrham, Kioso (ter Avest 87), Helik
Unused subs: Ingram, Long, El Mizouni, Rodrigues
Attendance: 25,951 (including 2,525 from Oxford)
Report: Martin Brodetsky; Photography: JasonPix, Steve Edmunds
