Bristol Rovers 1-1 Oxford United

John-Joe O'Toole's late header earned struggling Bristol Rovers a point against high-flying Oxford United.

The former Watford midfielder nodded home Lee Brown's free-kick to deny Oxford second position in League Two.

James Constable had put the visitors ahead early on with a deft volley after Dave Kitson's cross was chested to him.

But O'Toole's equaliser means Rovers are two points above the relegation places, while managerless Oxford are third, a point clear of Rochdale.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Bristol Rovers boss John Ward told BBC Radio Bristol:

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Post-match: Bristol Rovers boss John Ward

"I can't remember who said it now, but it's all about keeping your head when others around you are losing theirs and I thought my team did that.

"We made some errors and mistakes, conditions were tough and we were a goal down to a very good team.

"We made some alterations around the team to try and get back in the game and credit to my players for getting back into the game.

"There are days when other things are going against us and you start to feel sorry for yourselves but I don't think my team did that."

• Line-ups
• Match Stats
• Live Text

Line-ups

Bristol Rovers

• 1Mildenhall
• 2Smith
• 14Brown
• 24O Clarke
• 6ParkesBooked at 74mins
• 29McChrystal
• 30Lockyer
• 32O'Toole
• 16Gow
• 19BeardsleyBooked at 24mins
• 39MohamedSubstituted forGillespieat 67'minutes

Substitutes

• 7Clarkson
• 8Gillespie
• 15Norburn
• 17Harrison
• 20Gough
• 25Clucas
• 34Keary

Oxford Utd

• 1Clarke
• 34Bevans
• 3NeweyBooked at 83mins
• 22Wroe
• 13Hunt
• 19Mullins
• 17Rose
• 37Ruffels
• 9ConstableSubstituted forConnollyat 77'minutes
• 8Kitson
• 10Smalley

Substitutes

• 11Potter
• 18Davies
• 20Marsh
• 23Henly
• 24Connolly
• 30Long
• 35O'Dowda

Referee:

Lee Collins

Attendance:

6,493

Match Stats

Home TeamBristol RoversAway TeamOxford Utd

Possession

Home53%

Away47%

Shots

Home11

Away4

Shots on Target

Home3

Away1

Corners

Home5

Away0

Fouls

Home10

Away11

Live Text

Posted at

Match ends, Bristol Rovers 1, Oxford United 1.

Full Time

Posted at 90'+5'

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

Posted at 90'+5'

Corner, Bristol Rovers. Conceded by Tom Newey.

Posted at 90'+3'

Attempt missed. Chris Beardsley (Bristol Rovers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left.

Posted at 90'+2'

Attempt missed. Lee Brown (Bristol Rovers) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right.

Goal!

Posted at 84'

Goal! Bristol Rovers 1, Oxford United 1. John-Joe O'Toole (Bristol Rovers) header from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Lee Brown with a cross.

Booking

Posted at 83'

Tom Newey (Oxford United) is shown the yellow card.

Posted at 83'

Chris Beardsley (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 83'

Foul by Tom Newey (Oxford United).

Posted at 82'

Chris Beardsley (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 82'

Foul by Josh Ruffels (Oxford United).

Substitution

Posted at 77'

Substitution, Oxford United. David Connolly replaces James Constable.

Posted at 75'

Chris Beardsley (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 75'

Foul by John Mullins (Oxford United).

Booking

Posted at 74'

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

Posted at 74'

Foul by Stephen Gillespie (Bristol Rovers).

Posted at 74'

John Mullins (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 73'

Corner, Bristol Rovers. Conceded by David Hunt.

Posted at 72'

Foul by Stephen Gillespie (Bristol Rovers).

Posted at 72'

John Mullins (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 72'

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

Posted at 72'

Foul by Nicky Wroe (Oxford United).

Posted at 70'

Foul by Alan Gow (Bristol Rovers).

Posted at 70'

Danny Rose (Oxford United) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Substitution

Posted at 67'

Substitution, Bristol Rovers. Stephen Gillespie replaces Kaid Mohamed.

Posted at 65'

Attempt saved. Tom Lockyer (Bristol Rovers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

Posted at 63'

Delay in match John Mullins (Oxford United) because of an injury.

Posted at 60'

Attempt missed. Josh Ruffels (Oxford United) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left.

Posted at 58'

Attempt missed. Josh Ruffels (Oxford United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.

Posted at 57'

Tom Parkes (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 57'

Foul by Dave Kitson (Oxford United).

Posted at 53'

Corner, Bristol Rovers. Conceded by David Hunt.

Posted at 46'

Kaid Mohamed (Bristol Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 46'

Foul by Danny Rose (Oxford United).

Second Half

Posted at

Second Half begins Bristol Rovers 0, Oxford United 1.

Half Time

Posted at 45'+4'

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

Posted at 45'+2'

Foul by Alan Gow (Bristol Rovers).

Posted at 45'+2'

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

Posted at 44'

Attempt saved. Alan Gow (Bristol Rovers) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

Posted at 43'

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

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