EFL Sky Bet League One
Tuesday 27 October 2026
Kassam Stadium, Oxford
Oxford United… 1
(Harris 35’)
Stockport County… 0
Oxford United produced one of their best performances of the season as they defeated Stockport County 1-0 at home to climb to third in the table.
A first-half goal from Mark Harris proved the difference in an entertaining contest between two in-form sides, with the Yellows creating the better chances and showing their quality throughout.
Aaron Ramsey made four changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Bradford City on Saturday, with Harris, Luka Lynch, Louie Sibley and Peter Kioso all coming into the starting XI.
Looking to inject fresh energy into the team, the Head Coach almost saw United make the perfect start, with the ball in the net after just 15 seconds. Lynch was released down the right wing and delivered an excellent ball across to Harris, who slotted into the bottom-right corner. However, the assistant referee ruled the Wales international offside in what appeared to be an extremely tight decision.
With Stockport second in the table, the clash between two of the division’s in-form sides promised plenty of quality, and the first half certainly delivered. Both teams played some excellent football and enjoyed spells of pressure, creating an open and entertaining contest.
The visitors had a good opportunity to take the lead on 17 minutes when striker Benony Anderson found space on the edge of the box, forcing Jamie Cumming into a smart save.
United grew into the game from that point, going close on several occasions as they looked to get in behind the Stockport defence. Their persistence finally paid off in the 35th minute.
The move began with Cumming, as United patiently worked the ball forward before finding space to exploit. Jack Currie then played a perfectly weighted pass through the Stockport defence to Siriki Dembele, who squared the ball across the box for Harris to power home and open the scoring.
It was a superbly worked goal from Oxford, and they almost doubled their advantage five minutes later. This time, Kioso was released down the right and found Harris in the box, but the striker's effort was too close to Oliver Whatmuff, who made the save.
United deserved their half-time lead and returned for the second period looking to extend it. Stockport, however, continued to make it an entertaining contest and came out with renewed determination, creating a few opportunities of their own in the opening stages.
Dembele had the best chance of the half on 60 minutes after combining well with Lynch on a quick counter-attack. When the ball came back to the Scottish winger in space, 18 yards from goal, he couldn't get enough power behind his shot and Whatmuff was able to save comfortably.
The closing stages brought big chances at both ends, with either side capable of changing the outcome. With six minutes remaining, Cameron Brannagan struck a powerful free-kick towards goal that was parried away. The ball eventually fell to Gatlin O’Donkor, but he lifted his effort over the bar from close range.
Stockport came agonisingly close to an equaliser with just two minutes remaining. A dangerous ball across the box found Mikael Mandron at the near post, and his flick-on fell to Kyle Wootton. Somehow, Wootton failed to make proper contact, allowing Michal Helik to clear the ball off the line and preserve United’s lead.
The Yellows held firm through the final minutes to secure an impressive victory in front of their home supporters. Harris’s first-half strike proved decisive in a performance full of quality, determination and attacking threat, lifting Oxford United to third in the table with a game in hand.
Oxford United: Cumming, Brown, Helik, Brannagan, Harris, Goodrham (Emakhu 64’), Lynch (O’Donkor 64’), Dembele, Currie (Spencer 73’), Kioso, Sibley (Andrews 64’)
Subs: Eastwood, Long, Missanga
Stockport County: Whatmuff, Pye, O’Connell, Jobe, Bate, Norwood, Osborn, Glover, Wood, Wootton, Andresson
Subs: Ennis, Fiorini, Adigun, Diamond, Mandron, Dacres-Cogley, Adigun, Gardner
Attendance: 9,606 (739 away)
50/50: 141969 - £864