Oxford United 0-1 Bristol Rovers

John-Joe O'Toole's penalty earned struggling Bristol Rovers a shock win over high-flying Oxford.

The U's were top of the table before the game, while Rovers were 21st and had failed to win in their last nine.

But it was the Pirates who took all three points thanks to O'Toole's second-half penalty, awarded after Jake Wright felled Eliot Richards.

Striker James Constable had two clear opportunities to score for the hosts, but both headers went wide.

Veteran Rovers keeper Steve Mildenhall also produced two good saved to deny Sean Rigg and Dave Kitson.

The result means Oxford slip to second in the table, while John Ward's side move up one place.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Bristol Rovers manager John Ward told BBC Radio Bristol:

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Post-match: Bristol Rovers boss Ward

"I'm delighted and I am really pleased for the players and the supporters.

"We have actually played as well as that in one or two games we haven't won and we just stayed in there.

"There are fine margins in games. We've had some go against us and today we have had a victory with a good performance.

"I'm pleased for the supporters because they've followed us and stuck with us. I'm pleased with my young players to so it's a good day for Bristol Rovers which hasn't surprised me because I think it's been coming."

• Line-ups
• Match Stats
• Live Text

Line-ups

Oxford Utd

• 1Clarke
• 13HuntSubstituted forSmalleyat 78'minutes
• 6WrightBooked at 79mins
• 17Rose
• 4Raynes
• 19Mullins
• 15WilliamsSubstituted forPotterat 60'minutesSubstituted forDaviesat 90'minutes
• 16Whing
• 8Kitson
• 9Constable
• 7Rigg

Substitutes

• 10Smalley
• 11Potter
• 14Hall
• 18Davies
• 21Crocombe
• 34Bevans
• 37Ruffles

Bristol Rovers

• 1Mildenhall
• 2Smith
• 30LockyerBooked at 89mins
• 24O Clarke
• 22Packwood
• 6Parkes
• 33SantosSubstituted forHarrisonat 90+4'minutes
• 32O'TooleBooked at 90mins
• 10Richards
• 19BeardsleySubstituted forBruntat 86'minutes
• 25ClucasBooked at 40mins

Substitutes

• 15Norburn
• 16Henshall
• 17Harrison
• 20Gough
• 26Brunt
• 34Keary
• 35Southway

Referee:

Mark Brown

Attendance:

6,374

Match Stats

Home TeamOxford UtdAway TeamBristol Rovers

Possession

Home43%

Away57%

Shots

Home14

Away5

Shots on Target

Home4

Away4

Corners

Home5

Away7

Fouls

Home13

Away10

Live Text

Posted at

Match ends, Oxford United 0, Bristol Rovers 1.

Full Time

Posted at 90'+7'

Second Half ends, Oxford United 0, Bristol Rovers 1.

Posted at 90'+7'

Attempt saved. Danny Rose (Oxford United) with an attempt from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

Substitution

Posted at 90'+4'

Substitution, Bristol Rovers. Ellis Harrison replaces Alefe Santos.

Booking

Posted at 90'+3'

John-Joe O'Toole (Bristol Rovers) is shown the yellow card.

Posted at 90'+2'

Dean Smalley (Oxford United) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Posted at 90'+2'

Foul by John-Joe O'Toole (Bristol Rovers).

Posted at 90'+1'

Foul by James Constable (Oxford United).

Posted at 90'+1'

John-Joe O'Toole (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 90'

Attempt saved. Dave Kitson (Oxford United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

Substitution

Posted at 90'

Substitution, Oxford United. Scott Davies replaces Alfie Potter.

Booking

Posted at 89'

Tom Lockyer (Bristol Rovers) is shown the yellow card.

Posted at 89'

Alfie Potter (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 89'

Foul by Tom Lockyer (Bristol Rovers).

Substitution

Posted at 86'

Substitution, Bristol Rovers. Ryan Brunt replaces Chris Beardsley.

Posted at 84'

Attempt missed. Alfie Potter (Oxford United) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the right.

Booking

Posted at 79'

Jake Wright (Oxford United) is shown the yellow card.

Posted at 79'

Foul by Jake Wright (Oxford United).

Posted at 79'

Seanan Clucas (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Substitution

Posted at 78'

Substitution, Oxford United. Dean Smalley replaces David Hunt.

Posted at 77'

Corner, Bristol Rovers. Conceded by Andrew Whing.

Posted at 77'

Corner, Bristol Rovers. Conceded by Ryan Clarke.

Posted at 76'

Attempt saved. Seanan Clucas (Bristol Rovers) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

Posted at 75'

Foul by Andrew Whing (Oxford United).

Posted at 75'

John-Joe O'Toole (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Posted at 74'

Attempt blocked. Danny Rose (Oxford United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Posted at 73'

Foul by David Hunt (Oxford United).

Posted at 73'

Ollie Clarke (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Goal!

Posted at 71'

Goal! Oxford United 0, Bristol Rovers 1. John-Joe O'Toole (Bristol Rovers) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.

Posted at 71'

Penalty conceded by Jake Wright (Oxford United) after a foul in the penalty area.

Posted at 71'

Penalty Bristol Rovers. Seanan Clucas draws a foul in the penalty area.

Posted at 68'

Attempt missed. James Constable (Oxford United) header from very close range is too high.

Posted at 66'

Corner, Oxford United. Conceded by Steve Mildenhall.

Posted at 65'

Foul by Alefe Santos (Bristol Rovers).

Posted at 65'

Jake Wright (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 63'

Foul by Will Packwood (Bristol Rovers).

Posted at 63'

Dave Kitson (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 61'

Attempt missed. Sean Rigg (Oxford United) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.

Posted at 61'

Foul by Chris Beardsley (Bristol Rovers).

Posted at 61'

Michael Raynes (Oxford United) wins a free kick on the left wing.

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