Reserves get a point too

United's reserves drew 1-1 with Brighton at Court Place Farm this afternoon. Oxford took the lead after 23 minutes after a good run and cross by ROS Chris Hackett. Dexter Blackstock was on hand to shoot home after the ball went behind Manny Omoyinmi. Just one minute later Hackett was given a stern lecture by referee D Deadman for a strong challenge on Nathan Jones, who had tried to impede Hackett as he ran past to set up the goal.

Hackett continued to make good progress down the right wing, setting up chances for Dexter and Manny who shot wide and high respectively. Dean Whitehead was the dominant player in midfield and he had a good free kick saved by Michael Kuipers after 37 minutes. In the final minute of the first half Deano's long ball was played into Hackett's path by Manny, but Chris could only find the side-netting.

Ten minutes into the second half United made a triple substitution, with Roy Hunter, Deano and Manny being replaced by Rob Lovegrove, Michael Alexis and Taurean O'Sullivan. This seemed to interrupt United's flow as Brighton then mounted some concerted pressure which eventually led to John Piercy scoring the equaliser in the 65th minute. Dexter had a couple more chances, heading just wide from a Hackett cross and then lobbing the 'keeper and the crossbar. He did find the net again from a Craig Strachan free kick, but was penalised for pushing.

Deano and Simon King were the best players for United, with Whitehead in particular controlling the midfield. Blackstock also had a good game, but a poor performance from Peter Gilbert at left back and ordinary play from Sam Ricketts and Manny let down what was otherwise an impressive overall display from the Us' second string.