Oxford United 3 AFC Wimbledon 2

George Dugdale

Oxford United ended a run of six games without a point as they came from behind to beat AFC Wimbledon on a blustery night on Grenoble Road.

Jake Forster-Caskey's free-kick had given the hosts the lead, but goals from Byron Harrison and Jim Fenlon saw United go in behind at the interval.

However, United put in a spirited second half performance and close range strikes from Deane Smalley and Alfie Potter gave Oxford a much-needed three points.

Chris Wilder made two changes from the side who were defeated at Rotherham at the weekend. Luke O'Brien replaced Tony Capaldi at left-back, while Deane Smalley replaced Harry Worley as United lined up in a 4-4-2 formation. Wayne Brown maintained his place in goal, with Ryan Clarke on the bench for the second game in succession.

The visitors, who had never scored a goal against Oxford, began the game on the front foot. Wayne Brown was forced into a smart low save from Sammy Moore's dipping volley, before a succession of corners forced United's defence into desperate clearances as the ball was swung in beneath the crossbar.

When you are on a run of poor form, you need your players to be positive and that was exactly what happened as United took the lead within 10 minutes. Damian Batt collected the ball in his own half and drove forward before sliding a pass through midfield for Sean Rigg. The winger, who scored his first Oxford goal at the weekend, ran towards the opposition goal and was halted as a despairing defender pulled the winger down. Although the free-kick suited the right-footed Batt (and the Wimbledon wall was possibly set-up with this in mind), Brighton loanee Forster-Caskey bent his free-kick around the wall and into the top corner of Seb Brown's net to give United a much-needed boost.

The game remained an open contest and United struggled to deal with the direct threat posed by Wimbledon. Much as he did when in an Oxford shirt, Jack Midson spent large periods of the game in wide areas, but his aerial ability was as much of an asset as it had been in his spell in Oxford. From one flick-on, Wimbledon won another corner. Wayne Brown remained on his line and after United failed to clear the close-range pinball, Harrison hooked the ball in to level the scores.

Smalley failed to get a solid connection on a Forster-Caskey corner having lost his marker, while Harrison dragged his shot horribly wide having rounded Oxford's Brown. Referee Roger East awarded a corner, but like many of his decisions throughout the game, not many agreed. Michael Raynes picked up a muscular injury as he sprinted back towards his own goal and was replaced by Worley.

Wimbledon had been the more threatening team in the first half and were ahead shortly before the interval. Fenlon picked the ball up twenty yards from goal, cut inside on his right foot and fired a low effort into the bottom corner of the United net.

The goal had been preceded by negative chants from a clearly disillusioned section of the home support and the ill-judged decision to turn to face fellow fans after the goal went in caused anger in the East Stand. However, the depressing scuffle that followed prompted a response from elsewhere in the stand and the noise in support of the players was of a level that isn't always heard during home fixtures. During a poor run of form there will always be anger, disappointment and frustration, but the desire of the vast majority of fans to support the team while the game was still going on was deeply encouraging.

Thankfully, the second half performance rewarded the positivity of the vocal home support. Minutes into the half, Batt fired half-time substitute Simon Heslop's pass narrowly over the angle of post and bar as United looked to turn the game around.

Ten minutes into the half, they took a step closer to doing just that. Heslop's cross was flicked towards goal by Potter and the change in direction seemed to flummox Wimbledon's Brown. Smalley was alive to the opportunity and slotted home from close range to really give the supporters something to shout about.

Neither side had been able to control the midfield in an open game and Wimbledon were inches away from retaking the lead through a fine solo effort. Christian Jolley ran at the Oxford defence and when Batt was forced to cover a supporting run, Jolley used the vacated space to curl over Wayne Brown. United have conceded to a number of top quality goals in recent weeks and the sight of a ball bouncing clear from the woodwork was a refreshing change. Would this prove to be the turning point?

Brown had been kicking with his weaker foot in the opening stages of the second half and the injury soon ended his evening, with Ryan Clarke reclaiming his spot in the Oxford goal.

Wimbledon's form has been desperately poor this season and saw the end of Terry Brown's tenure. As the game entered the closing stages, it became increasingly clear that the visitors were content with a point. United were able to push up the field and the creativity of Forster-Caskey and apparent resurgence of Heslop gave United a platform from which to attack.

A clever through ball from Smalley freed Potter at an angle, but Brown was quickly off his line to block the winger's low effort. However, the former Wimbledon trainee and AFC Wimbledon loanee would have his moment just a minute later.

Batt fed Tom Craddock, the striker swivelled and crossed low across the six yard box. Potter had wriggled clear of his marker and slotted under Brown to give United a lead. Ignore what had happened before. The East Stand was bouncing.

When you are on a run of defeats, the closing stages of a thrilling contest are never going to be easy. This proved to be the case as the otherwise hopeless Will Antwi headed the ball against the crossbar, before his effort on the rebound was somehow palmed clear by Clarke.

In the five minutes of stoppage time that had arisen from nowhere, Midson fired over from point-blank range after more pinball in the Oxford area. There was a fair slice of luck involved in this victory, but it's about time we had our turn.

Even in the final seconds of stoppage time there was time for Craddock to race clear, but his low strike was again blocked by Brown.

As the referee blew for full-time, there was an almighty sense of relief all around the stadium. United's next two games are also difficult, but who knows where the confidence gained from this victory will take us?

This wasn't the ideal home victory. United didn't control the tempo of the game, let alone the possession of the football, but there was something immensely enjoyable about seeing the team fighting for the three points. Harry Worley won his headers, Forster-Caskey raced around the midfield breaking up attacks and the wingers fed off Smalley's hold-up play to pose a threat. A special mention should also go to Luke O'Brien. He won't make many headlines for his performances, but he gives the opposition very little encouragement along his flank.

I had been encouraged by the naming of Roger East before the game, mainly because he had been in charge of our 2-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town last season on a Tuesday night. Like most fans, I was hanging to anything I could. However, aspects of his performance were bemusing. Soft fouls were awarded all over the place and the location of free-kicks was rarely in accordance with the location of the offence. Jake Wright picked up his fourth booking of the season after an altercation with Antwi (who was also booked), while Jake Forster-Caskey also saw yellow for a late tackle. East wasn't dreadful, but he may want to leave his assistant behind when he returns to Championship fixtures.

A special mention must go to his incompetence on the South Stand touchline. He is best described as 'flag-happy', looking to give fouls whenever he had the opportunity. However, the finest moment of his evening deserves a full description. Stick with me. Forster-Caskey takes a very short corner. The ball moves one yard. Smalley shields the ball as Forser-Caskey runs around him, before receiving a three yard backward pass. To the bemusement of everybody, the linesman raises his flag for an offside. An offside for one of the two backward passes. When he watches the DVD of the game back, he'll be slightly embarrassed.

On the other side, the female official didn't get a decision wrong all night.

That much-needed win takes Oxford into 16th place, while Wimbledon are one place outside the relegation zone. United's next opponents are league leaders Gillingham, who moved five points clear after a 2-1 victory at Northampton. Port Vale dropped points in a 1-1 home draw with Dagenham & Redbridge, while Fleetwood remain in third after a 2-0 victory over York. Jamie Cureton scored twice as Exeter won 2-1 at Barnet and Burton scored a late winner to beat 10-man Southend. Bradford drew 0-0 at 10-man Rochdale, while Accringon's home fixture with Rotherham was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

At the other end of the table, Barnet remain bottom, narrowly below Wycombe Wanderers who drew 1-1 with Plymouth. Morecambe moved clear of the relegation zone with a 2-0 victory over Chesterfield, while Craig Reid's hat-trick was in vain as Torquay came from three goals down to beat Aldershot.