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:

"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

Formation 4-4-2

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

Formation 4-4-2

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

Post update
Match ends, Oxford United 0, Bristol Rovers 1.
90'+7'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Oxford United 0, Bristol Rovers 1.

90'+7'
Post update
Attempt saved. Danny Rose (Oxford United) with an attempt from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
90'+4'
Substitution
Substitution, Bristol Rovers. Ellis Harrison replaces Alefe Santos.
90'+3'
Booking
John-Joe O'Toole (Bristol Rovers) is shown the yellow card.
90'+2'
Post update
Dean Smalley (Oxford United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
90'+2'
Post update
Foul by John-Joe O'Toole (Bristol Rovers).
90'+1'
Post update
Foul by James Constable (Oxford United).
90'+1'
Post update
John-Joe O'Toole (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'
Post update
Attempt saved. Dave Kitson (Oxford United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
90'
Substitution
Substitution, Oxford United. Scott Davies replaces Alfie Potter.
89'
Booking
Tom Lockyer (Bristol Rovers) is shown the yellow card.
89'
Post update
Alfie Potter (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
89'
Post update
Foul by Tom Lockyer (Bristol Rovers).
86'
Substitution
Substitution, Bristol Rovers. Ryan Brunt replaces Chris Beardsley.
84'
Post update
Attempt missed. Alfie Potter (Oxford United) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the right.
79'
Booking
Jake Wright (Oxford United) is shown the yellow card.
79'
Post update
Foul by Jake Wright (Oxford United).
79'
Post update
Seanan Clucas (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
78'
Substitution
Substitution, Oxford United. Dean Smalley replaces David Hunt.

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