CAMERON Brannagan had a penalty saved as Oxford United were held to a goalless draw in their final pre-season fixture.

Stuart Findlay was handed his first start in a U’s shirt while Jodi Jones was given the chance to impress again from the start.

United head coach Karl Robinson’s bench boasted the likes of new signing Yanic Wildschut, with Alex Gorrin also making his first appearance following a lengthy injury.

The inclusion of former Cardiff City winger Josh Murphy was certainly the most eyebrow-raising element of Robinson’s matchday squad though.

In a goalless first half light of crystal clear opportunities, it was the hosts who had the first, and possibly best, chance of the opening period.

It came with just four minutes on the clock as the bright Ayoub Assal got in behind Sam Long, but fired a shot wide from inside the penalty box.

Four minutes later, United had their first chance.

It stemmed from a brilliant drive out from the back by Findlay, who touched the ball onto Matty Taylor.

United’s No 9 was barged over, with Findlay heading over from Billy Bodin’s free kick.

A drinks break following a blow to the face for Marcus Browne seemed to interrupt the flown of the game, which had seen a good pace in the opening 25 minutes.

The next opportunity of note came when Browne took aim from the edge of the penalty box, but his effort drifted wide.

On 33 minutes, Long sent in a wicked cross which after a deflection looked like it was going to nestle in Nik Tzanev’s goal, however the goalkeeper managed to tip the ball over.

The U’s continued to end the half strongly with Bodin the latest to take aim.

The former Preston North End man crafted some space and looked to place a shot from the edge of the box, but Tzanev was again equal to the effort.

United’s half-time introduction of Murphy and Wildschut for Bodin and Jones saw the U’s switch to a 4-2-3-1, and with all the attacking talent on the field, it was only a matter of time before a chance was carved out.

Seven minutes into the second period, Browne was hauled down inside the penalty box, however Brannagan’s powerful spot-kick was equalled by Tzanev, who palmed the ball away from danger.

An injury to Wildschut 15 minutes into his debut will be a concern for United, as the Suriname international came off clutching his right leg.

Murphy showed bright moments in his first appearance for the U’s, taking a couple of shots and at times, gliding past players with ease.

As the game threatened to boil over with a couple of bookings and fouls, Isaac Ogundere forced Jack Stevens to get down low and push away a shot in the dying moments.

Oxford United (4-3-3): Eastwood (Stevens 46); Long (Forde 72), Moore, Findlay (Brown 87), Seddon; Brannagan, McGuane, Bodin (Wildschut 46 ((Henry 63)); Jones (Murphy 46), Taylor (Sinclair 72), Browne (Gorrin 72).

Unused subs: Mousinho, Smyth, Spasov.

Booked: Browne, Murphy.

AFC Wimbledon (3-5-2): Tzanev; Nightingale, Pearce (Kalambayi 87), Brown (Ogundere 67); Gunter, Marsh, Maghoma, Chislett (Bendle 75), Currie; Davison (Hudlin 67), Assal.

Unused subs: Broome, Robinson, Adjei-Hersey, Trialist, Trialist.

Booked: Maghoma, Marsh.