LIAM Manning was sent off as Cameron Brannagan returned from illness to rescue a stoppage time point for Oxford United at home to Wycombe Wanderers in a game marred by refereeing decisions.

Ruben Rodrigues gave United a first half lead when he finished off a patient passing move, however two Luke Leahy penalties nudged the visitors in front.

However, Brannagan fired home from the penalty spot six minutes into stoppage time to earn the U’s a draw.

Manning made two changes to the side which lost at Wigan Athletic in midweek, as Fin Stevens and Billy Bodin replaced Stan Mills and Tyler Goodrham respectively.

There was also a welcome return to the squad for Brannagan, who missed the previous two games due to illness. The U’s ace took the place of Alex Gorrin on the bench.

The first sight of goal came for the visitors when Marcus McGuane had his pocket picked and appealed for a foul on him by Killian Phillips, however play was waved on and Dale Taylor forced an excellent save out of James Beadle.

United took the lead with their first true sight of goal, the opener coming at the end of a sublime passing move.

The U’s worked it from left to right, with McGuane taking over and pulling the ball back for Rodrigues, who finished first-time from the centre of the penalty area.

Rodrigues then almost turned creator when he weaved his way into the box and to the left byline, where he crossed for Billy Bodin, who headed over the crossbar.

With 10 minutes to go until the break, referee Sebastian Stockbridge was at the centre of attention when he pulled back play as United worked a way through on goal.

Mark Harris was the victim of the decision as he got himself into a great position, however Stockbridge gave a free kick for a foul just before the ball fell to Harris.

Rodrigues took the centrally-positioned set piece from 25 yards out, however he floated the ball wide.

Minutes later, Harris ran through on goal, but spurned the opportunity despite having an abundance of time and space.

Stockbridge gave a corner though, with the ball taking a nick off goalkeeper Max Stryjek, however Elliott Moore headed over.

The U’s enjoyed the better territory in the opening stages of the second period, with Harris struggling to get a header on target after a marauding run down the left from Greg Leigh.

More officiating controversy followed minutes later when a penalty was awarded against McGuane for a handball while he was laid on the floor.

A similar incident happened in the first half, but nothing was given, however Stockbridge gave the spot kick this time round, and although Beadle guessed correctly, Leahy’s penalty was too far into the bottom left corner.

The match then had a scrappy period as both teams struggled to maintain possession or put together anything of note in the final third, although with 70 minutes on the clock, McGuane got into space down the right channel of the box and forced Stryjek into a stop at his near post.

Rodrigues then looked to drag the ball across the turf and into the near post from just outside the box, however his effort was held onto by Stryjek just as it looked like it was going to sneak in.

Harris headed wide from a Leigh cross, just before Manning made his first two changes of the afternoon, as Brannagan and Goodrham replaced Josh McEachran and Bodin.

The Chairboys got a glimpse of goal when United failed to clear their lines, and Freddie Potts smashed the ball over when it dropped nicely for him 25 yards out.

With 12 minutes to go, the blue touch paper was lit as Stockbridge awarded Wycombe another penalty – this time for a foul by Beadle as Brandon Hanlan charged into the box.

Before the spot kick was taken, Stockbridge sent off U’s boss Manning, with Leahy again sending the penalty into Beadle’s bottom left corner.

Nine minutes of stoppage time were added on, and six minutes in, Harris was tripped just inside the area.

Another penalty was given, and Brannagan made no mistake as he rifled the ball home to salvage a point for United.

The U’s sensed a winner though, and attacked with purpose, as Goodrham whistled an effort from range over the crossbar.

Oxford United (3-4-2-1): Beadle; Long, Moore, Brown; Stevens (Murphy 87), McGuane, McEachran (Brannagan 74), Leigh; Rodrigues (Mills 87), Bodin (Goodrham 74); Harris.

Unused subs: Eastwood, Thorniley, O’Donkor.

Booked: McGuane, Long, Moore.

Wycombe Wanderers (3-4-1-2): Stryjek; Low, Keogh, Leahy; Pattenden, Phillips, Potts, Boyes; McCleary (De Barr 86); Hanlan (Vokes 86), Taylor.

Unused subs: Ravazzoli, Tafazolli, Breckin, Sadlier, Clark.

Booked: Potts, Low, Taylor, Pattenden, Leahy.

Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge (Tyne and Wear)

Attendance: 10,168 (1,448 visitors).