Oxford Utd 2 (Potter 45+2, Leven 52), Burton 2 (Richards pen 54, 66) Oxford United let slip a 2-0 lead as they were held to a draw by Burton at the Kassam Stadium.

Chris Wilder's side looked certain to claim their first win in three matches when goals from Alfie Potter and Peter Leven put them two goals ahead after 52 minutes.

But a double from Justin Richards, who had previously been on loan at Oxford, saw Burton snatch a point.

United were presented with a glorious opportunity to win the game five minutes from time when James Constable was left unmarked eight yards out, but somehow headed over the bar.

It was a frustrating afternoon for United and their fans, who could hardly believe it took their side 45 minutes to go ahead after a combination of poor finishing and bad luck had frustrated them until first-half injury time.

But the Kassam Stadium breathed a collective sigh of relief when Alfie Potter put United ahead on the stroke of half-time.

Peter Leven's neat ball forward, set Potter free in the box and he fired a right-foot shot across goal and into the bottom corner.

The U's doubled their lead seven minutes into the second half.

A great ball from Lewis Guy was met with a fine run by Peter Leven, who showed great composure to neatly dink the ball over Ross Atkins.

The game was Oxford's, but 60 seconds later, Jacques Maghoma got the wrong side of Liam Davis, and although the contact looked minimal, the linesman flagged for a penalty, which Justin Richards stroked home.

Richards then made it 2-2, when luck was on his side.

A corner found its way to the striker at the far post, and his effort took a wicked deflection to find the net and stun the home crowd.

Richards had a great chance for his hat-trick, but shot over left-footed.

United pushed forwards, but always looked suspectible on the break.

And they nearly found themselves behind with 15 minutes remaining.

When Maghoma played in Richards, United's defence and supporters looked at the linesman.

But the flag stayed down and Clarke had to produce two fine saves.

The first was when Batt tried to intercept, but sent the ball goalwards, the second when Richards picked up the loose ball and drove towards goal.

Oxford went all-out for the winner, and should have had it, only for Constable to head over.

Oxford Utd: Clarke, Whing (Batt 24), Duberry, Wright, Davis, Heslop, McLaren (Hall 64), Leven, Potter, Constable, Guy (Pittman 76). Subs: Worley, Payne. Booked: Heslop.

Burton: Atkins, Maghoma, James, Austin, Webster, Corbett, Bolder, McGrath, Phillips, Richards (Yussuf 82), Zola (Kee 58). Subs: Poole, Yussuf, Palmer, Kee, Blanchett. Booked: Webster.

Attendance: 8,043 (260 from Burton).