Oxford United 3 - 1 Notts County : O'Dowda inspires Oxford comeback

Posted Wednesday, August 19, 2015 by PA

Substitute Callum O'Dowda made all the difference as Oxford chalked up their first League Two win of the season by coming from behind to beat Notts County 3-1 at the Kassam Stadium.

Relegated County had won 2-0 at Teddy Sheringham's Stevenage on the opening day, and they looked set for another good away day when former France Under-19 defender Thierry Audel headed in Graham Burke's free-kick on 21 minutes.

But Michael Appleton's introduction of pacy winger O'Dowda transformed the match. Four minutes after coming off the bench, he drove home Liam Sercombe's cross on 36 minutes to make it 1-1.

And O'Dowda was instrumental in United's second goal after 47 minutes, with a strong run down the left. He cut the ball back to the near post, where Kemar Roofe whipped it off the feet of a ponderous Scott Bennett before lashing it into the roof of the net.

Oxford could have wrapped it up when they were awarded a penalty on 57 minutes after Danny Hylton was body-checked by Stanley Aborah after a run into the box.

However, Roy Carroll saved Alex MacDonald's unconvincing spot-kick low to his right.

But Hylton made it 3-1 on 78 minutes, shooting home after Carroll parried his first shot following a run from his own half.