Bobby Ford sunk his former club with his first goal since a £400,000 move to
Sheffield United last month.
The diminutive midfielder struck in the 43rd minute to keep Nigel Spackman's
injury ravaged side in touch with the First Division leaders.
But the sympathy went to Welsh international striker Gareth Taylor who could
have easily have had a hat-trick but each time was foiled by the woodwork.
Oxford, with two victories behind them - including a win against league
leaders Nottingham Forest - since Malcolm Shotton took over as manager - looked
the better side in the opening half.
Teenager Simon Weatherstone almost grabbed a shock opener in the second minute
when he caught the United defence cold and slammed in a fierce 18-yard shot
which was pushed away by Simon Tracey.
The Blades escaped again minutes later when Joey Beauchamp's cross from the
right flew across the goalmouth and Weatherstone lashed the ball into the side
netting.
Beauchamp carved through the fragile United defence in the 21st minute,
picking out striker O'Neill Donaldson, on-loan from Sheffield Wednesday, and
again the United keeper dived to his left to push out the shot.
Taylor squandered an opening after connecting with a Ford cross only to miscue
and scoop the ball high over the bar before Ford broke the deadlock two minutes
before the interval.
Earl Barrett crossed from the right, Taylor pounced and when his header
crashed against the woodwork Ford lunged forward to beat Phil Whitehead with a
diving header.
The lively Beauchamp got the better of Roger Nilsen minutes after the re-start
to slam in a low cross, Weatherstone stuck out a foot only for Tracey to block
his close range shot.
United broke quickly as Dean Saunders raced through unmarked. His shot crashed
against Whitehead and Taylor was the first to react producing a dipping header
which beat the keeper and two defenders only for the ball to crash against the
bar.
Taylor was foiled in similar fashion in the 74th minute after Whitehead had
kept out substitute Marcelo's angled drive.
He was on the ball in a flash to hit a fierce right foot shot which slammed
again the bar.
Teams
Sheff Utd: Tracey, Barrett, Nilsen (Derry 72), Ford, Sandford,
Holdsworth, Saunders, Marker, Taylor, Stuart (Marcello 60),
Hutchison.
Subs Not Used: Kelly.
Booked: Hutchison.
Goals: Ford 43.
Oxford Utd: Whitehead, Robinson, Wilsterman (Cook 60), Gray,
Purse, Gilchrist, Powell, Smith, Donaldson (Aldridge 80),
Weatherstone (Murphy 81), Beauchamp.
Att: 16,881
Ref: T Heilbron (Newton Aycliffe).
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