OXFORD United were beaten by Sky Bet League One leaders Plymouth Argyle in a game which saw the U’s denied a ‘ghost goal’.

The match at the Kassam Stadium saw fans celebrate the life of U’s legend Joey Beauchamp with a series of tributes prior to kick-off.

It was Matt Butcher that gave Argyle the lead though with a clinical strike following a clever move from the away side, however Cameron Brannagan made sure it was level at the break with a sublime free kick.

Saxon Earley and Ryan Hardie won the game for Argyle, but only after Brandon Fleming was denied a goal from a free kick which goalkeeper Callum Burton caught but seemingly went over the goal line with.

During the warm-up before the game, United’s players wore ‘Beauchamp 11’ shirts and were then be joined by 11 representatives from the academy, who walked out with the starting XI before kick-off.

Just prior to the start of the game, Beauchamp’s daughters walked the match ball onto the pitch and delivered it to the match officials.

Karl Robinson made four changes to the side which drew 1-1 at MK Dons, with skipper Elliott Moore among those to return after missing the weekend’s game due to personal reasons.

Marcus McGuane, Tyler Goodrham and Yanic Wildschut were also restored to the starting line-up, as Djavan Anderson, Josh Murphy, Ateef Konate and Tyler Smith dropped out.

The game started evenly, with the first opportunity falling to United.

Kyle Joseph lined up a 20-yard piledriver, which stung the gloves of goalkeeper Callum Burton, who was able to palm the ball to safety.

Just as the crowd finished its minute applause for Beauchamp in the 11th minute, Finn Azaz almost caught out Simon Eastwood with a looping effort from the halfway line.

Luckily for the U’s goalkeeper, the ball dropped over the crossbar and onto the top of the goal’s netting.

Butcher opened the scoring for Argyle less than 10 minutes later.

The move was too easy for Argyle as Bali Mumba slid the ball down the right-hand side of the penalty box for Butcher, who coolly finished into Eastwood’s near post.

United almost grabbed an immediate equaliser when Ciaron Brown charged down the left flank and laid the ball off to Joseph inside the area, with the Swansea City loanee forcing a low save out of Burton.

At the other end, Brown misjudged the flight of the ball, allowing Hardie a run at goal.

Eastwood did well though to close the angle and get a glove on the shot.

United’s goalkeeper was called into action again when a dangerous cross from Nigel Lonwijk was met by a sliding Sam Long.

As it looked like the ball was going to nestle in the net, Eastwood reacted sharply to beat the ball away.

Joseph and McGuane both then had shooting opportunities in the penalty area, however both efforts were charged down.

Mumba then got to the byline and forced Eastwood into a save at his near post.

With the minutes counting down to the half-time break, Brannagan ensured United went in level with a super free kick.

Goodrham did well down the left and drew a foul out of Lonwijk on the left corner of the box.

Brannagan took the set piece, arrowing the ball into the far corner with a fantastic low strike.

The first sight of goal in the second half cam when Sam Cosgrove found himself with time in the right channel of the box, however his stinging effort was comfortably wide of Eastwood’s goal.

Just before the hour mark, United felt aggrieved they weren’t awarded a goal when Brandon Fleming’s deep free kick from the right was caught under the crossbar by Burton, who then seemingly stepped back and the wrong side of his goal line while still clutching onto the ball.

Referee Alan Young and his officials waved play on though.

Goodrham then worked Fleming a shooting opportunity from just inside the area, however the effort bobbled harmlessly wide.

Argyle then regained their lead when a ball from the right flank was touched home on the goal line by Earley.

Robinson made his first substitution straight away as Smith replaced Wildschut, before Murphy replaced Goodrham shortly afterwards.

It was the away side though who had the next effort on target when substitute Callum Wright watched the ball drop over his shoulder, before volleying an effort towards Eastwood’s near post, with the U’s goalkeeper able to palm away the ball.

Hardie made sure of the points in stoppage time when he finished after Wright’s pull back.

Oxford United (4-3-3) Eastwood; Long, Moore, Brown, Fleming (Henry 80); Brannagan, Bate, McGuane (Baldock 80); Goodrham (Murphy 73), Joseph, Wildschut (Smith 66).

Unused subs: McGinty, Findlay, Konate.

Booked: Brannagan, McGuane.

Plymouth Argyle (3-4-1-2): Burton; Lonwijk, Wilson, Gillesphey; Mumba (Edwards 76), Matete (Houghton 66), Butcher, Earley (Bolton 87); Azaz (Wright 66); Cosgrove (Waine 76), Hardie.

Unused subs: Parkes, Bolton, Mayor.

Booked: Matete, Lonwijk, Cosgrove, Earley, Burton.

Referee: Alan Young (Cambridgeshire)

Attendance: TBC (TBC visitors)