TWO first Oxford United goals from deadline day signings ensured the U’s returned to winning ways at the Memorial Stadium.

A first-half finish from Elliot Lee was followed up with by a goal from substitute Brandon Barker in injury time.

The teams met a matter of weeks ago, a Matty Taylor brace seeing the U’s win 2-0 at the Kassam at the end of January.

Karl Robinson made just the one change from the team that lost at Doncaster Rovers as Mide Shodipo came in for Brandon Barker, who dropped to the bench.

The two sides failed to trade early blows as they sussed each other out at a chilly Memorial Stadium.

Lee provided the first moment of excitement, his right wing cross just going over the heads in the box and out for a corner.

On 20 minutes, it was the hosts who created the first chance though, as George Williams’ cross from the right was fired straight at Jack Stevens by James Daly.

Daly was straight back in the action eight minutes later as he cleverly flicked the ball over the head of Rob Atkinson, however the Rovers man dragged his shot wide.

And the U’s made the Pirates pay just moments later.

Matty Taylor’s headed flick found James Henry who played in Lee, who kept his cool to fire in beyond Day’s near post.

Rovers looked for an equaliser and the dangerous Erhun Otzumer cut in from the right and played in a delicious ball but nobody in blue and white gambled inside the box.

Right wing back Williams then fired one in from the right of the box but Stevens did very well to tip it over.

From the resulting corner, left wing back Luke Leahy headed wide.

With just five minutes to go until half time, the U’s lost Sam Long to injury with Anthony Forde brought on to replace United’s No 12.

Forde was immediately put under pressure as Alex Rodman glided past him but Rovers failed to capitalise on the cross.

Henry unleashed his inner David Beckham on 44 minutes, spotting Day off his line and attempting an audacious lob which dropped just wide.

Just before the hour, the U’s were forced into a change as Henry limped off.

Barker replaced him, while Sam Winnall also came on for Shodipo.

Barker showed real glimpses of his talent, running past players at will and always looking to carve out opportunities.

The second half had few chances but substitute Mark Sykes was denied by a late block by Leahy when Sykes raced through.

From the resulting corner, Winnall’s header was superbly tipped away by Day.

With seconds left of normal time, Rovers spurned their best opportunity as McCormick fired wide when in front of Nicholson.

United made Rovers pay in injury time with an emphatic near post finish after good work from Forde.