Oxford United win bonus point in Bristol Rovers shoot-out

The goalkeeper saved from Ed Upson and Jack Baldwin in the shoot-out after earlier thwarting Luke Leahy in normal time.

It gave Cameron Brannagan the chance to put the U’s in pole position in Southern Group D and he dispatched his spot-kick to claim victory.

The postponement of Saturday’s game against Crewe Alexandra meant the U’s were playing for the first time in ten days and they took time to settle.

Rovers took advantage and Tom Mehew gave them a 12th-minute lead after United failed to clear a throw in.

The U’s improved without seriously threatening their opponents, who had a string of chances either side of the break.

Undoubtedly Rovers’ best chance came six minutes from time when Leahy’s penalty was saved by Stevens, with the wing back somehow sending the rebound wide.

It was punished by Derick Osei, who headed in an 89th-minute equaliser which sent the game to spot kicks.

Karl Robinson named an untested back four as he made seven changes to the side that started the 4-1 victory at Accrington Stanley.

Debutant Michael Elechi and fellow highly-rated youngster Kyran Lofthouse were at left and right back respectively, while Sam Long partnered Rob Atkinson in the middle.

The makeshift nature of the defence was arguably exposed when Mehew fired Rovers in front.

United failed to clear a throw from the right and the 19-year-old midfielder collected the bouncing ball and fired past Stevens from ten yards out.

The away side continued to press their opponents’ young back line and the U’s goalkeeper had to react sharply to come out and smother when James Daly was sent through.

Meanwhile, United’s midfield three of captain Brannagan, Liam Kelly and Marcus McGuane were rotating positions throughout and the latter looked particularly sharp early on.

The ex-Barcelona man had the hosts’ first meaningful effort of the night after 24 minutes, exchanging passes with Mark Sykes before firing straight at Rovers keeper Jordi van Stappershoef from 20 yards.

United began to look brighter and Derick Osei and Sykes tried their luck without truly troubling the goalkeeper, while Lofthouse and Elechi grew into the game.

But Rovers continued to ask questions and Atkinson needed to be alert to block Mehew’s effort from the edge of the area after the goalscorer was played in by Daly.

The visitors threatened again two minutes after the restart when they carved United open down the right.

Meher played the ball to Leahy on the left and the wing back’s deflected effort fell to Nicholson, but Stevens made himself big to save.

It was part of a bright start to the second period for the visitors and a sloppy one from United, with Atkinson receiving the first yellow card of the evening for a foul on Sam Nicholson and Cameron Hargreaves shooting wide from inside the box.

The U’s stirred just before the hour mark and Hall tried to catch out van Stappershoef at his near post, but the goalkeeper palmed the free-kick around the near post.

Robinson sent on Dan Agyei and Jamie Hanson, making his first appearance of the season, for Kelly and Lofthouse and just minutes later Atkinson was replaced by Nico Jones.

United had to put any concerns about their diminished defensive ranks behind them heading into the final quarter, but struggled to create any clear chances.

Robinson’s side had a few minutes to collect themselves when one of the assistant referees sustained an injury and was replaced by fourth official Geoffrey Russell.

But it was Rovers who should have wrapped up the game with six minutes left.

Jones slid in on substitute Kieron Phillips and while referee Neil Hair appeared to wave away the visitors’ appeals, he eventually pointed to the spot.

Leahy stepped up and saw his penalty saved brilliantly by Stevens to his left, before the wing back inexplicably put the rebound wide.

It gave United hope and five minutes later Leahy was made to pay.

The U’s surged forward and Hall’s cross from the right edge of the area was nodded home by Osei.

The extended break for the change of officials meant there were ten minutes added on, but neither side could find a winner.

It went to penalties and United snatched victory from nowhere thanks to Stevens’ heroics.

Oxford United (4-3-3): Stevens, Lofthouse (Hanson 62), Long, Atkinson (Jones 67), Elechi, Kelly (Agyei 62), Brannagan, McGuane, Hall, Osei, Sykes.

Unused subs: Eastwood, Forde, Asonganyi.

Booked: Atkinson, Brannagan.

Bristol Rovers (3-5-2): van Stappershoef, Kilgour, Baldwin, Kelly, Leahy, Nicholson (Hare), Upson, Hargreaves, Mehew, Daly (Phillips 80), Walker.

Unused subs: Andre, Harries, Grant, Westbrooke, Tutonda.

Booked: Baldwin, Leahy.

Referee: Neil Hair (Cambridgeshire)