Oxford Utd 1, Bradford City 1.
It was a golden opportunity for three points.
But Oxford United are still without a win this season after Ross Hannah’s goal 12 minutes from time earned visitors Bradford a draw at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday.
And the U’s will certainly feel that it was two dropped points following a frustrating afternoon.
Things looked good for Chris Wilder’s side after Simon Heslop fired home in the 29th minute.
But a below-par second-half performance, where you got the feeling one more goal would have won the game, saw the visitors grab an equaliser – albeit in controversial circumstances.
From Luke Oliver’s flick-on, Hannah timed his run perfectly to net from six yards out.
United were furious that no foul was given for a push on Michael Duberry from Oliver in the build-up and made their feelings known to referee James Adcock.
But the goal stood and leaves Wilder’s side winless in their opening three games of the campaign.
Before the game, there was a minute’s applause for former United kitman Ken Ridley, who died in the summer after a long battle with cancer.
The U’s made four changes from the team that lost to Cardiff in the Carling Cup on Wednesday, with Deane Smalley, Lewis Guy, Josh Payne and Heslop coming into the side in place of James Constable, Jon-Paul Pittman, Simon Clist and Damian Batt.
The visitors, who were wearing a horrific pink kit, also came into the game on the back of two defeats.
Adcock got off to a bad start when he deemed Asa Hall had fouled when he clearly won the ball inside four minutes.
From the resulting free-kick, Michael Flynn lashed a 30-yard drive that U’s keeper Ryan Clarke could only parry into the air. Clarke back-pedalled, the ball hitting the top of the bar before going behind for a corner.
Although Bradford had started well, Oxford soon found their feet and some neat passing saw them in the ascendancy.
Heslop tried his luck from distance, and Alfie Potter’s effort was blocked by Guy Branston.
It was from a Branston header that United went in front. The defender’s clearance was picked up by Heslop on the halfway line, and he drove forward. With no defender wanting to close him down, he unleashed a 25-yard shot that found the corner of the net.
Although they were on the front foot and appeared in little danger defensively, United did not really test visiting keeper Martin Hansen for the remainder of the half.
The second goal was also going to be crucial, and the hosts started the second half extremely well, forcing three quick corners and Potter seeing a shot deflect over.
They worked a golden opportunity when Hall flicked on Clarke’s long kick and sent Deane Smalley clear.
He looked to have the beating of Branston, but didn’t pull the trigger early enough and eventually was unable to get his shot away.
But from that point on, United’s play got a bit sloppy and the visitors gradually got on top.
The U’s were unable to keep hold of the ball and became more stretched as Bradford pushed men forward trying to find a breakthrough.
Clarke did well to save a low effort from Flynn, but was powerless to stop Hannah’s controversial leveller.
The goal sparked Oxford back into life, and with Constable and Pittman by now on to give them more attacking threat, they came again.
Pittman saw a goalward shot hit a defender and narrowly deflect over.
At the other end, Jake Wright did very well to hold up Jack Compton when the winger burst through on goal, but Oxford were always the more likely winners.
However, the killer instinct let them down when it mattered, and the failure to get the second goal when on top proved costly.
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