Oxford United's new manager Dave Kemp was unable to wave the magic wand as the U's lost for the fourth match running.

A single goal from Stephen Foster after 17 minutes brought Bristol Rovers, the team that can't win at home, their fifth away victory of the season.

It was a poor goal to give away by an Oxford defence which had been unsettled several times by some accurate inswinging corners from Steve Jones.

Twice, Jones had hit the post with corners and when he delivered one towards a posse of players eight yards out, Foster climbed highest to head home.

What must have disappointed Kemp and his assistant Alan McLeary most, however, was surely the lack of goalscoring chances United created at the other end.

It took the team 55 minutes to muster a shot on goal, Simon Weatherstone's weak effort being easily saved, and they created only one half-chance when, from a Peter Fear corner, Joey Beauchamp crossed and Derek Lilley headed just over the bar.

Kemp had recalled Beauchamp and Paul Powell in reverting to a 4-4-2 formation, but it soon became evident that Powell was lacking match sharpness as the speedy Marcus Bignot sprinted past him on one run, and he tired quickly.

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