Oxford United 2 (Taylor 32 & 73), Bristol Rovers 0

The striker netted in each half to take his tally to 11 for the season, poking past Joe Day from close range after 32 minutes before beating the goalkeeper one-on-one in the latter stages.

It stretched the U’s unbeaten run to ten matches and winning streak to six, although the hosts will be worried by an injury to Marcus McGuane that saw the midfielder stretchered off early on.

Overall, though, United will be delighted to gain three points from their first game for 11 days, against a club who had triumphed on their last six league visits to the Kassam Stadium.

United’s starting line-up was as expected, with Liam Kelly returning from suspension to replace Anthony Forde.

It was the only change from the team that started at Burton Albion three weeks ago, with no room for Jamie Hanson and Mark Sykes on the bench.

The U’s understandably took a while to get going after their time away and did not threaten until they forced a trio of corners after 13 minutes.

One saw Luke Leahy head over his own crossbar under pressure from Elliott Moore, but of greater concern was McGuane’s injury.

The midfielder went down on the left touchline after playing a pass and was eventually carried off on a stretcher, with Cameron Brannagan introduced just 15 minutes in.

The substitute shot wide of the near post midway through the half, but it was one of few chances for either side.

Rovers striker Brandon Hanlon looked a handful, but just after the visitors enjoyed a spell of possession Taylor pounced.

Mide Shodipo won another corner down the right and James Henry’s cross was headed towards goal by Sam Long and then Moore.

Taylor had positioned himself on the shoulder of the last defender and volleyed past Day from inside the six-yard box.

The striker could have had another when Henry won the ball off Jack Baldwin before charging into the box, but could not find his teammate with the cross.

Taylor headed over from a corner late in the half, although Rovers started brighter after the break.

Abu Ogogo should have done much better within two minutes of the restart when he latched onto a deflection unmarked inside the box, only to scuff wide of the near post.

United let another Rovers player go eight minutes later when Hanlan found the onrushing Max Ehmer, but the visitors’ captain could not keep his volley down at the back post.

There was an extended pause just after the hour mark when linesman Matthew Lee pulled up with an injury, which did not help the flow of the game.

It remained a scrappy affair as the action resumed, before Taylor scored his and United’s crucial second with 17 minutes left.

The Rovers defence waited for the linesman to flag offside as the striker brought down a high ball, but it never came.

That allowed Taylor to race away and he advanced into the area before placing a shot underneath Day.

United were not completely home and dry, with Jack Stevens required to make an excellent save when he tipped over Hanlan’s curling shot from the edge of the box.

U’s boss Karl Robinson made four changes in the closing stages to break the game up, with one replacement, Dan Agyei, heading Josh Ruffels’ cross over with two minutes left.

The other three substitutes almost combined when Forde found Jordan Obita on the left, but the winger’s fizzed cross was inches in front of Sam Winnall.

Hanlan scuffed an effort at Stevens during the ten minutes of stoppage time, allowing United to return with a clean sheet.

Oxford United (4-2-3-1): Stevens, Long, Moore, Atkinson, Ruffels, Gorrin, Kelly (Forde 87), Henry (Obita 76), McGuane (Brannagan 15), Shodipo (Agyei 87), Taylor (Winnall 76).

Unused subs: Eastwood, Hall.

Booked: Taylor, Winnall.

Bristol Rovers (3-5-1-1): Day, Baldwin (Hargreaves 88), Kilgour, Harries, Ehmer, Grant, McCormick (Williams 67), Ogogo (Ayunga 67), Leahy, Westbrooke (Barrett 88), Hanlan.

Unused subs: van Stappershoef, Tutonda, Rodman.

Booked: Leahy, Grant.

Referee: David Rock (Hertfordshire).