OXFORD United fell out of the play-off places as they were beaten by promotion rivals Plymouth Argyle in a high-intensity contest at Home Park.

The U’s were ultimately punished for failing to take their first-half opportunities, as Joe Edwards’ volley shortly after the break moved the hosts eight points clear of their opponents.

Gavin Whyte and Billy Bodin saw great chances saved by Argyle goalkeeper Mike Cooper in the first 20 minutes, but United’s threat waned as the match went on.

It saw Plymouth close out a sixth successive home win without conceding, while the U’s fall to seventh in Sky Bet League One.

United’s only change was a big one, as Cameron Brannagan missed out after sustaining a head injury in training.

Marcus McGuane came in for his first start since February 8, while Bodin partnered Matty Taylor up front and Whyte dropped into the No 10 role.

James Henry featured in a matchday squad for the first time since February 26 as he made the bench, but illness delayed Elliott Moore’s return.

Argyle had injury problems of their own and were without 19-goal top-scorer Ryan Hardie, defender James Bolton and on-loan Fulham man Steven Sessegnon.

The hosts made four changes in all, with academy prospects Oscar Halls and Freddie Issaka – just 17 and 15-years-old respectively – making up the numbers on the bench.

Both sets of fans created an atmosphere worthy of the occasion and United rose to the challenge early on, snapping into every tackle.

They should have taken the lead from a ninth-minute counter-attack, as Taylor set Bodin away with an incisive pass into the channel.

The forward waited before sliding the ball across to Whyte 12 yards out, but Cooper made himself big to save with his legs.

A tougher chance fell Taylor’s way moments later, but he poked a volley onto the roof of the net after meeting Kane’s lofted pass into the penalty area.

The game opened up and the tempo increased, with the next two opportunities falling Plymouth’s way.

Jordan Houghton’s 12th-minute free-kick found Edwards unmarked at the back post, but the Argyle captain could only head across goal and Luke McNally cleared.

Danny Mayor then fired just wide from 20 yards, before United went close again.

McGuane did well to keep an attack alive and curled a cross to Bodin arriving at the far post, but Cooper again thwarted the U’s by pushing the ball over the bar.

The chances inevitably thinned out after such a breathless start, but the game continued to be played at a tremendous pace with Herbie Kane and McGuane competing well in midfield.

There was a moment of controversy 11 minutes before the break, when Ryan Law felled Whyte as the Northern Irishman chased Sykes’ through ball. Referee Ollie Yates gave a penalty, only to quickly change his decision when the linesman flagged for offside.

United negotiated the rest of the half without any threat to Eastwood’s goal, with James Wilson firing a couple of efforts wide from range.

It was a cagier start to the second period, although the U’s went close again when Bodin skipped past a couple of challenges and curled wide following good work from Kane.

United had kept Argyle at arm’s length, but the hosts took their chance when it came.

The lively Law crossed from the left and Niall Ennis helped the ball onto Edwards, who squeezed a first-time volley inside Eastwood’s near post.

The volume increased inside Home Park and the hosts looked to build on their advantage, with Panutche Camara dragging an effort wide of the far post just after the hour mark.

United had to respond and Karl Robinson made a double substitution, bringing on Henry and Sam Winnall for Ryan Williams and McGuane. It signalled a change of shape with Sykes and Whyte as wing backs, while Winnall joined Taylor up front.

Plymouth continued to look dangerous and were often first to the 50/50s, before freshening things up with the arrival of Luke Jephcott for Garrick with 13 minutes left.

Robinson immediately made his final change, as Nathan Holland replaced Bodin ahead of the final push.

The U’s began to look more likely, with Winnall flicking one effort straight at Cooper and Taylor throwing himself at Henry’s cross, although the No 9 handled in his desperation to reach the ball and received a booking.

The hosts broke the game up late on as Adam Randell and Ryan Broom replaced Danny Mayor and Camara, with United – for once – unable to find a late response.

Plymouth Argyle (3-1-4-2): Cooper, Wilson, Scarr, Gillesphey, Houghton, Edwards, Camara (Broom 90+2), Mayor (Randell 88), Law, Ennis, Garrick (Jephcott 77).

Unused subs: Burton, Halls, Issaka, Crichlow.

Booked: Cooper.

Oxford United (3-4-1-2): Eastwood, McNally, Long, Brown, Sykes, Kane, McGuane (Winnall 67), Williams (Henry 67), Whyte, Taylor, Bodin (Holland 79).

Unused subs: Stevens, Mousinho, Seddon, Forde.

Booked: Brown, Bodin, Taylor.

Referee: Ollie Yates (Staffordshire).

Attendance: 15,826 (1,485 visitors).