Late Matty Taylor winner earns in-form Oxford victory over struggling Southend

Posted Sunday, March 01, 2020 by PA

Matty Taylor’s brilliant late strike earned Oxford a 2-1 victory over struggling Southend and their fourth straight win.

The Shrimpers had battled hard and looked set for a first point in six games as the game entered the final six minutes locked at 1-1.

But Taylor claimed the points for United when he spun 12 yards out to fire in a superb left-footed finish for his seventh goal in the last six games.

James Henry fired the U’s in front from the spot in the 17th minute, converting into the bottom left corner as Icelandic keeper Patrik Gunnarsson dived the wrong way.

Gunnarsson, in only his second game after signing on an emergency loan from Brentford, conceded the penalty for pulling Taylor’s shirt as the striker attempted an overhead kick.

Southend equalised on the stroke of half-time when Lewis Gard prodded home from two yards out after Simon Eastwood had parried a Tom Clifford cross that Rob Dickie deflected.

The visitors also went close through Stephen McLaughlin, who warmed Eastwood’s hands with a rasping 30-yard free kick, and Eren Kinali, who was denied by a fine one-handed save by the home goalkeeper.

But they could find no way through and Taylor’s late strike left them empty-handed.