Match ends, Stevenage 0, Oxford United 2.
StevenageStevenage0Oxford UtdOxford United2
John Mullins's first goal of the season inspired Oxford's first win in five games and ended Stevenage's eight-game unbeaten home run.
After a goalless first half, Mullins headed a Michael Collins free-kick into the top corner just before the hour.
Callum O'Dowda then doubled the lead with a simple tap-in after keeper Chris Day had denied Pat Hoban from close in.
Oxford were indebted to saves from Ryan Clarke, who kept out Ben Kennedy's volley and Dean Parrett's free-kick.
The visitors have climbed further away from the League Two relegation zone and are up to 15th, while Stevenage remain eighth, three points from the play-off spots.
Stevenage boss Graham Westley told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"One of my biggest complaints at half time was that we were almost lacklustre in the way we went about the game. I was really disappointed.
"We had the 0-0 scoreline at half time but I thought they were more likely to score. I thought they were causing us more problems than we were them."
On injuries to Chris Whelpdale, Tom Pett and Adam Marriott: "They're tough players to replace. They're three big players for us and we're disappointed to lose them.
"It's a question on trying to give the players that are here their chances. It's a steep learning curve."
Line-ups
Stevenage
Formation 4-4-2
- 16Day
- 25Henry
- 19Wells
- 9Charles
- 23Okimo
- 34DeaconSubstituted forKennedyat 45'minutes
- 22Lee
- 18ParrettSubstituted forMcAllisterat 76'minutes
- 8Walton
- 20BeardsleyBooked at 81mins
- 10ZolaSubstituted forN'Guessanat 45'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Beasant
- 3Dembele
- 5Ashton
- 6Bond
- 12McAllister
- 28N'Guessan
- 33Kennedy
Oxford Utd
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Clarke
- 3Skarz
- 4Brindley
- 5MullinsBooked at 81mins
- 6Wright
- 7Rose
- 19Collins
- 16Whing
- 15O'DowdaSubstituted forBurnsat 90+3'minutes
- 10HyltonSubstituted forRobertsat 87'minutes
- 9HobanBooked at 81mins
Substitutes
- 14Ruffels
- 21Crocombe
- 22Long
- 24Ashby
- 26Burns
- 31Roberts
- 33Dunkley
- Referee:
- Tim Robinson
- Attendance:
- 3,146
Match Stats
Home TeamStevenageAway TeamOxford Utd
- Possession
- Home44%
- Away56%
- Shots
- Home10
- Away4
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away3
- Corners
- Home7
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away7
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Stevenage 0, Oxford United 2.
Post update
Corner, Stevenage. Conceded by John Mullins.
Post update
Attempt missed. Charlie Lee (Stevenage) right footed shot from the left side of the box is too high.
Substitution
Substitution, Oxford United. Wes Burns replaces Callum O'Dowda.
Post update
Corner, Stevenage. Conceded by Joe Skarz.
Substitution
Substitution, Oxford United. James Roberts replaces Danny Hylton.
Booking
Pat Hoban (Oxford United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Dean Wells (Stevenage) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Pat Hoban (Oxford United).
Booking
John Mullins (Oxford United) is shown the yellow card.
Booking
Chris Beardsley (Stevenage) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Chris Beardsley (Stevenage).
Post update
John Mullins (Oxford United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Attempt saved. Dean Wells (Stevenage) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Post update
Corner, Stevenage. Conceded by John Mullins.
Substitution
Substitution, Stevenage. David McAllister replaces Dean Parrett.
Post update
Foul by Ben Kennedy (Stevenage).
Post update
Danny Hylton (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal!
Goal! Stevenage 0, Oxford United 2. Callum O'Dowda (Oxford United) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the bottom right corner.
