Last-gasp Taylor equaliser earns Oxford point at Burton

Posted Wednesday, February 12, 2020 by PA

Matty Taylor’s stoppage-time equaliser earned Oxford a 2-2 draw with Burton at the Pirelli Stadium.

Rob Dickie’s own goal gave Burton a half-time lead and Jamie Murphy restored their advantage in the 71st minute after Dan Agyei levelled just a minute after coming on.

But Taylor struck from close range in the first minute of added time as the visitors snatched a point.

The Brewers were rewarded for their bright opening after 21 minutes when the energetic running of Ryan Edwards cut through the Oxford defence and his cross was turned towards goal by Lucas Akins, with the ball taking a crucial deflection off Dickie to beat the wrong-footed Simon Eastwood.

Oxford found it hard to contain the influential Edwards, who also intercepted a poor ball from John Mousinho and sent a dipping effort over the bar.

Nathan Holland had the visitors’ best chance of the first half. Having steered an early effort wide of Kieran O’Hara’s goal, he forced a good save from the on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper with his feet just before the break.

Oxford substitute Agyei made an instant impact, scoring just a minute after his 62nd-minute introduction by driving low under O’Hara.

Albion, though, roared back after a sustained spell of Oxford pressure, Conor Shaughnessy sending Murphy away to drill a shot inside Eastwood’s near post.

But Oxford were not finished and Taylor stabbed home from close range at the death to ensure a share of the spoils.