OXFORD United are winless in seven Sky Bet League One games after slumping to a defeat at a Cambridge United side battling relegation.

Lloyd Jones ensured the hosts led at half-time after heading in from a corner, in an opening 45 minutes which saw Karl Robinson’s side muster just one effort.

Head coach Robinson made three changes to the side which suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Plymouth Argyle in midweek.

Josh Murphy, Tyler Smith and Sam Baldock came into the starting XI, in place of Marcus McGuane, Tyler Goodrham and Yanic Wildschut.

It was tactically though where there was the most change.

Robinson reverted to three at the back, with Murphy and Brandon Fleming in the wing back positions, and Kyle Joseph playing behind Smith and Baldock in a three-pronged attack.

Baldock was making his first start since the 4-1 win at home to Burton Albion on March 5, a game in which the striker scored twice.

Goodrham, a bright spark in recent weeks, was ruled out with a hamstring injury, while Marcus Browne returned to the matchday squad after his own hamstring injury, suffered in the Boxing Day defeat at Ipswich Town.

There was little between the sides in the opening exchanges, but the home side took the lead with the first sight of goal.

Left wing back James Brophy started brightly and good play from him led to a corner, which Conor McGrandles swung in and Jones headed home from inside the six-yard box.

Joe Ironside then sent a low shot comfortably into the arms of Simon Eastwood, before Paul Digby shot narrowly wide after a surging run down the left from Brophy.

Robinson’s side had their only shot of the first half just before the half hour mark when Murphy let fly from distance, with the effort deflecting wide for a corner.

Eastwood then got down low to thwart a Sam Smith shot six minutes later, as the ball looked like it would sneak into the bottom left corner.

Jack Lankester then struck a half-volley which won a corner, which came to nothing.

Robinson made a change at half-time as Browne replaced Smith in the forward line.

The second period began with half-chances at both ends, as Baldock stretched to poke an effort at Dimitar Mitov, before Sam Smith curled an effort over from the edge of the penalty box.

Eleven minutes into the second half, Brannagan won a free kick 25 yards out, left of centre.

The U’s midfielder took the set piece himself but Mitov was able to take the ball into his midriff.

Just before the hour mark, the U’s launched a rapid counter-attack which resulted in Liam Bennett putting in a superb tackle on Murphy as he pulled the trigger on the edge of the box.

Robinson then looked to his bench again as Wildschut replaced Joseph as his side enjoyed their best spell of the game.

With 74 minutes on the clock, Brannagan fizzed in a low effort from outside the area, however Mitov was able to get down and get his body behind the ball.

The final throw of the dice by Robinson saw James Henry and Ateef Konate replace Lewis Bate and Baldock respectively.

In the closing stages, Cambridge swiftly countered from a U’s corner but Sam Long was able to block Smith’s cross, before Browne sent a right-footed effort over the bar.

Wildschut had a late effort just before five minutes of stoppage time were signalled when his half-volley took a nick and span just wide of the post.

Cambridge United (3-4-1-2): Mitov; Morrison, R. Bennett, Jones; L. Bennett, McGrandles (Worman 77), Digby, Brophy; Lankester (Thomas 69); Smith, Ironside.

Unused subs: Mannion, Williams, Haunstrup, O’Neil, Okendia.

Booked: L. Bennett.

Oxford United (3-4-1-2): Eastwood; Long, Moore, Brown; Murphy, Brannagan, Bate (Henry 75), Fleming; Joseph (Wildschut 64); Smith (Browne 46), Baldock (Konate 75).

Unused subs: McGinty, Findlay, McGuane.

Booked: Baldock.

Referee: Ollie Yates (Staffordshire)

Attendance: 6,613 (745 away)