Oxford United secured a 2-0 home victory over Reading in League One on Wednesday, extending their unbeaten run to nine matches. Goals from Gatlin O Donkor and Mo Missanga in the final twenty minutes sealed the win, lifting the U's to fourth place in the table on 23 points from 12 games, a record of six wins, five draws and one loss. O Donkor broke the deadlock in the 71st minute, finishing from a Cameron Brannagan assist. The provider then turned scorer seven minutes later, with substitute Mo Missanga finding the net after being set up by O Donkor. Oxford dominated possession with 66% of the ball and created 12 shots, seven of which were on target.
Team performance
They sit just six points behind leaders Huddersfield Town. Top scorer Mark Harris, who has six goals this season in 12 appearances, led the line but it was O Donkor and Missanga who provided the decisive moments. The victory was built on a solid defensive display, with Simon Eastwood in goal making three saves to secure the clean sheet, part of a season where the team has conceded only 11 goals while scoring 20.
Reading, who started the day in sixth, offered a threat with 13 shots but only managed three on target. Their best chance fell to Jack Marriott, who has eight league goals this season, but he was kept quiet by a defence marshalled by the returning Ciaron Brown. The Royals finished the game with four yellow cards.
Squad updates
Oxford were boosted by the return of key midfielder Cameron Brannagan from injury, while defender Ciaron Brown also came back into the starting lineup. Simon Eastwood started in goal as expected. Reading were without the injured Paddy Lane, George Earthy and Benn Ward, but Marriott was involved from the start.
The U's next face a trip to Peterborough United on Saturday 14 November. Peterborough currently sit 22nd in the standings, offering Oxford a chance to build further momentum before the international break. This latest victory followed a 1-1 draw at Barnsley on 31 October and a 1-0 home win over Stockport County on 27 October, results that have solidified their promotion-chasing position.
