Oxford United and Reading draw first league derby since 2001

Ciaron Brown’s smart header gave United the lead six minutes before half-time, however Sam Smith levelled the scoreline just four minutes later when he finished past James Beadle after latching onto a ball over the top of the U’s backline.

Des Buckingham made two changes to the side which slumped to the 3-0 defeat away to Peterborough United at the weekend, as Josh McEachran and Josh Murphy replaced Billy Bodin and the injured Ruben Rodrigues.

The first sight of goal during the cagey opening exchanges came with five minutes on the clock, when Femi Azeez crossed from the right, but Smith couldn’t stretch enough at the back post.

Straight away at the other end, Stan Mills played a tantalising ball across the six-yard box, however Mark Harris was unable to make contact with the cross.

The Royals pinched the ball high up the pitch just before the quarter of an hour mark, but Jordan Thorniley did brilliantly to block Harvey Knibbs’ strike from inside the penalty area.

Thorniley was again called upon to get his head in the way of Lewis Wing’s half-volley, diverting the ball over his own crossbar.

With six minutes to go before the half-time break, United took the lead with some fantastic play out wide.

Mills sent in an excellent cross from the right wing, with Brown arriving to send a bullet header past the helpless Royals goalkeeper David Button.

The lead lasted just a matter of minutes though, as the home side hit back with their first meaningful attack after going behind.

A ball over the top from Wing, close to the halfway line, found Smith in acres of space.

There was a whiff of offside, however the flag stayed down, and Smith had plenty of time to prod the ball past Beadle when one-on-one with the U’s goalkeeper.

In stoppage time, the Royals went close to nudging ahead when Azeez poked wide from inside the six-yard box after a right wing cross from Knibbs.

Buckingham made a change at the break, taking off Thorniley – who collected a booking in the first half – for Joe Bennett.

The change meant Brown moved into the centre of the U’s defence, while Bennett played at left back.

United had a bit more impetus about them in the opening segment of the second half, with Elliott Moore heading wide Cameron Brannagan’s floated corner.

Mills went down off the ball midway through the second period, forcing Buckingham into an alteration.

Tyler Goodrham replaced Mills, while Buckingham also made a switch up front as Bodin came on for Harris.

At this point, the U’s were controlling possession of the ball, but without really probing or testing the Royals defence.

James Henry replaced McEachran in the closing stages, coming on for his first league appearance of the season.

Just after six minutes of stoppage time were signalled, Murphy cut inside from the left and flashed a right-footed shot narrowly wide of the far post, while Bodin then had a late effort deflected wide, however United were unable to take advantage from the corner.

Reading (4-1-4-1): Button; Yiadom, Holmes, Abbey (Bindon 58), Dorsett (Mbengue 58); Craig (Savage 68); Azeez, Wing, Knibbs, Vickers (Elliott 79); Smith.

Unused subs: Pereira, Mukairu, Ehibhatiomhan.

Booked: Craig, Holmes.

Oxford United (4-2-3-1): Beadle; Stevens, Moore, Thorniley (Bennett 46), Brown; McGuane, McEachran (Henry 86); Mills (Goodrham 66), Brannagan, Murphy; Harris (Bodin 66).

Unused subs: Eastwood, Smyth, O’Donkor.

Booked: Thorniley.

Referee: Carl Brook (Sussex)

Attendance: TBC (TBC away).