An injury time penalty from sub Cameron Brannagan gave Oxford United a point in the most dramatic of fashions this afternoon
Leading through a Ruben Rodrigues goal at half time, United seemed to have been undone as Luke Leahy twice beat James Beadle from the penalty spot after the break, the second seeing Liam Manning sent off for disagreeing with the decision. However, Brannagan came off the bench to thump home the third penalty of the game and earn United a point in the derby that's not a derby.
In truth, the U's were rarely threatened in open play during a fiercely competitive 90 minutes. There was, though, one unbelievable save from James Beadle when Dale Taylor blasted the ball at the exposed keeper from close range in just the second minute, but after 25 evenly matched minutes, it was United who began to run the game, especially after yet another goal to add to their showreel.
Fin Stevens, playing as a wing-back as the U’s switched shape, showed superb technique to flick the ball inside for the excellent Marcus McGuane, who had driven the initial move forward. He surged to the line and cut the ball back and Rodrigues crashed it past keeper Max Stryjek for an excellent second goal of the season.
It should have been 2-0 two minutes later, but Billy Bodin guided his header wide from another sublime flick from Rodrigues, and there was another great chance when Mark Harris bustled away but saw his shot clip the legs of Stryjek and flash inches wide of the post. Those misses were to come back and haunt United.
They were still full value for their half-time lead, but ten minutes into the second half disaster struck when McGuane, running back towards his goal slipped on the turf and the ball struck his trailing arm. Ref Seb Stockbridge, about to become the centre of attention, was right next to it and pointed to the spot, from where Leahy drilled the ball past the helpess Beadle to level things at 1-1.
An already congested midfield became even busier as the sides slogged it out and tried to find space or the upper hand. There were half chances - Rodrigues off-balance and unable to find enough power after 72, Harris off target with a header on 74 - but on 79 minutes Wycombe were handed the ideal opportunity to win the game as Mr Stockbridge gave another penalty.
This was far less clear. Brandon Hanlon's touch had taken the ball past Beadle but was rolling out of play. Beadle's hand was still there and Hanlon went over it. The ref hesitated, weighed up his options, and then made a decision that so angered Manning he was sent off. Leahy rolled the ball past Beadle and United seemed to be heading for a second defeat in a row.
Enter the talisman.
There was passion, there were a frenetic nine minutes of time added on, and there was a sly trip on Harris that provoked the referee to point to the spot for a third and final time. Up stepped Brannagan and United had their point.
Spot on.
Attendance: 10,168 including 1,448 away
Polythene UK Fifty/50 winning number 100625 wins £1135.50
Report by Chris Williams, pictures JasonPix, Steve Edmunds, Darrell FIsher and Rex Shuttersrtock