MARCUS Browne’s fortuitous early strike proved the difference as Oxford United beat Sky Bet Championship side Swansea City in a pre-season clash at Grenoble Road.

The former West Ham United and Middlesbrough man struck after six minutes, with visiting goalkeeper Andy Fisher unable to keep out what should’ve been a straightforward stop.

Liam Manning made just the two changes from the side which was held to a goalless draw away to Vanarama National League side Eastleigh, as he again named a strong starting XI.

Out went Oisin Smyth and trialist Marley Watkins, with Josh McEachran and Browne named in the starting line-up in their place.

The first half had the feel of a pre-season fixture, although the U’s impressed in their willingness to press high up the pitch and force mistakes out of the Swans backline.

It was the visitors who had the first chance of the game when Ben Cabango sent a header straight at James Beadle from a left-wing corner.

United opened the scoring with just six minutes on the clock though, and it came from winning the ball in the final third.

Ruben Rodrigues and Mark Harris worked in tandem to nick the ball and feed Browne, who let fly with a low shot from 20 yards.

The claim should’ve been an easy one for Fisher, however the Swans goalkeeper allowed the ball to squirm through his body, before trickling over the line.

With 20 minutes on the clock, Browne again was afforded a sight of goal.

This time, he preyed on a misplaced pass at the back and made a surge towards goal.

United’s No 11 managed to get into the left channel of the penalty box, but after ignoring the shout from Harris, slammed his shot high over the crossbar and into the scoreboard behind the goal.

Four minutes later, the U’s again claimed the ball high up the field.

Harris twisted his way into the box, before drawing a smart save out of Fisher from a tight angle.

The visitors lacked a punch in attack but had a sniff of goal just before the half hour mark when a counter-attack down the left-hand side resulted in Jay Fulton’s shot across goal bringing a simple enough stop out of Beadle.

Fulton then had a go from 20 yards, however his arrowed effort whizzed comfortably wide of Beadle’s right-hand post.

At the other end, Brannagan had a shot from a similar distance charged down by Fulton.

Swansea had the first sniff of goal in the second period when Joel Piroe’s snapshot drew a smart, low glove out of Beadle, who fisted the ball away to safety.

Shortly before the hour mark, penalty appeals were turned away by referee Dean Whitestone after Sam Long burst into the box before going to ground.

The incident took place right on the corner of the area, however Whitestone was unmoved.

Manning made his first alterations after 63 minutes when Smyth, Fin Stevens and Gatlin O’Donkor replaced McEachran, Harris and Browne.

Stevens played high up the pitch on the right and soon after coming on, played a great, low cross into a dangerous area.

Harry Darling poked out a leg and sent the ball towards goal, however Fisher was able to get down and paw the ball behind for a corner.

The closing stages were light on goalmouth action, although Darling saw a stooping header claimed by Beadle during three minutes of stoppage time.

Oxford United (4-2-3-1): Beadle; Long, Moore, Thorniley, Brown; McEachran (Smyth 63), Brannagan; Goodrham (Wildschut 77), Rodrigues (Trialist 77), Browne (O’Donkor 63); Harris (Stevens 63).

Unused subs: Brearey, Golding.

Booked: None.

Swansea City (3-5-2): Fisher; Wood, Cabango (B Cooper 68), Darling; Key, Fulton, Grimes, Ntcham (Paterson 84), Naughton; Yates (Cullen 63), Piroe.

Unused subs: Hughes, O Cooper, Lloyd, Thomas.

Booked: None.

Referee: Dean Whitestone

Attendance: 3,206 (615 visitors)