Oxford Utd 2, WBA 1

HE'S big, he's ungainly, he's awkward - but already the Oxford United fans love him.

Man mountain Kevin Francis brought the house down in front of a near-capacity Manor Ground crowd last night with the goal that sentenced former boss Denis Smith to defeat on his first return to the club.

Francis stuck out one of his long legs to turn in a cross-shot from striking partner O'Neill Donaldson nine minutes from time in front of the London Road fans, to complete a memorable debut.

He had earlier laid on a first goal of the season for defender Phil Gilchrist, nodding on Joey Beauchamp's free-kick after 15 minutes for Gilchrist, who had ghosted forward, to plant a firm header past the keeper.

Outstanding workrate by the whole United team helped them to dominate the remainder of the first half.

They never allowed Smith's West Brom team, sixth in the table at start of play, a sniff of a goalscoring chance, even if they themselves created little as well.

Donaldson, on loan from Sheff-ield Wednesday and making his home debut, really should have scored before Gilchrist did.

Francis managed to get to a left-wing cross from Beauchamp ahead of keeper Alan Miller and the ball fell invitingly for Donaldson.

Yet he was out of luck as his shot struck the turf but then bounced over the bar.

Francis was winning everything in the air and Albion's frustration was evident as Matt Carbon was booked for a foul on the towering forward.

Beauchamp finished off a jinking run with a deft lay-off to Donaldson who snatched at his 15-yard shot and blazed over.

David Smith, who produced a fine range of passing throughout the game, followed Carbon into the ref's notebook. Smith then sent in a left-footed drive from the edge of the area which flicked off Donaldson's heel and span just wide.

Debutant Steve Davis gave a solid performance at the back and Paul Powell produced some lively runs and sudden bursts of speed.

Denis Smith could not have been happy with his players who were woeful in the first half.

But when he hauled off Andy Hunt on the hour and sent on Franz Carr, they looked much more threatening.

Youngster Lee Hughes, pushed further forward, almost put Carr in within seconds of him arriving on the pitch.

And from Albion's first attack of any note, on 63 minutes, they equalised. Hughes crossed from the left and Bob Taylor headed powerfully down and into the net.

For a brief spell West Brom looked the better team and United were clearly tiring up front. But their midfield grafters kept probing and the pressure mounted with a succession of corners at the London Road end.

Just as in the previous home game against Portsmouth, there was a tangible willpower from the home fans behind that goal.

And they got the winner they wanted.

Donaldson escaped for a sprint along the right and although his effort across goal looked like more of a shot than a cross, Francis was on hand at the far post to belt it into the goal from all of three yards.

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