Birmingham City's slim chances of making the play-offs were given the kiss of life by Oxford skipper Mike Ford who scored the first goal - in his own net.

Seventeen minutes from the end of the second half, which United had dominated, City full-back Simon Charlton dispossessed Joey Beauchamp who had little chance to control a poor pass from Martin Gray.

Charlton made ground on the left before whipping over a dangerous cross which goalkeeper Phil Whitehead missed, and Ford, racing back, turned it into the net.

Five minutes from the end, Paul Furlong made the game safe with Birmingham's second goal. Chris Marsden sent over a cross which was blocked by Simon Marsh and rolled to Furlong who drove in from 15 yards.

The first half produced few chances and a bad miss by Kevin Francis. A good four-man Oxford move in the 10th minute ended with Marsh crossing perfectly to Francis who headed downwards and wide of an open goal.

The visitors' first clear-cut chance fell to Furlong who should have scored in the 52nd minute. Brian Hughes made the opening, and Furlong, 10 yards from goal, shot wide.

United swept to the other end, and from a Francis flick, Matt Murphy sent in a shot which Jerry Gill appeared to handle, but a corner was given.

Four minutes later Birmingham had another worrying moment when Gray crossed to Francis who beat the keeper to the ball, and his header flashed the wrong side of a post.

Oxford, who have never lost at home since Malcolm Shotton took over in January, were on top. Beauchamp had the ball in the net after 58 minutes but he was offside, and the goal was disallowed.

Ian Bennett in the visitors' goal then kept United out with an excellent save from a Francis header in the 69th minute.

United looked the likelier side to score until Ford turned the game upside down with Birmingham's first goal.

Teams

Oxford Utd: Whitehead, Robinson, Marsh, Gray, Davis, Ford, Murphy (Banger 65), Smith, Francis, Powell (Cook 71), Beauchamp.

Subs Not Used: Rose.

Booked: Robinson, Marsh, Davis.

Birmingham: Bennett, Gill (Purse 66), Charlton, Bruce, Johnson, Marsden, McCarthy, O'Connor (Robinson 42), Adebola, Hughes (Ndlovu 66), Furlong.

Booked: Marsden.

Goals: Ford 73 og, Furlong 85.

Att: 8,818

Ref: R Styles (Waterlooville).