Oxford United picked up their first points on the road this season with an entertaining 2-2 draw at Luton.
The Hatters led 2-0 with half time approaching but Tyler Goodrham reduced the deficit before the break, before Ruben Rodrigues netted a deserved equaliser.
Here are three talking points from the game.
Oxford United Draw at Luton
Defensive Errors
It was a scrappy opening ten minutes in the Bedfordshire rain but both sides created early chances. However, it was the hosts that netted the opener when Idris El Mizouni played a square pass on the 18-yard line to Rodrigues, who was dispossessed.
And it was another defensive error when the Hatters doubled their lead. A long ball was pumped forward and there was a lack of communication between skipper Elliott Moore and Jamie Cumming, which presented Luton with the opportunity to double their advantage.
But the backline, which was unchanged from their goalless draw against Burnley, regrouped, the midfield clicked and the whole team began to defend as a unit.
Des Buckingham will be pleased with the response after going behind and will be aware the U’s could have left Kenilworth Road with all three points but for some uncharacteristic errors.
Midfield Duo
While El Mizouni and Rodrigues were at fault for the opener, the duo put in one hell of a shift against the recently-relegated side.
Just one minute after Luton scored the opener, El Mizouni saw an effort saved before Rodrigues’ follow-up was cleared off the line.
The pair grew into the game and began to cause problems for Luton, with El Mizouni all-but dictating the pace of the game. The Tunisian also played a wonderful assist for Goodrham’s beautiful strike just before the break.
Rodrigues missed another half-chance in the second half but latched onto a low drive from Kyle Edwards to score a deserved equaliser.
He would go off shortly after Thomas Kaminski made a triple save from Mark Harris, Goodrham and Rodrigues again, but it was a good display.
Oxford United Substitutes
Buckingham made some impactful changes in this game, with the first being a powerful change.
Owen Dale was handed a start but he struggled to get going in the first half so Edwards was brought on at the break and was a positive change. The winger was quick, direct and a constant threat, and was involved in the equaliser.
Rodrigues was replaced by Siriki Dembele who, like Edwards, was rapid in attack and caused a tiring Luton backline problems.
Dane Scarlett was the final change, replacing Harris, but with Luton down to ten men at that point, was unable to get much of the ball due to the defensive mindset from the hosts.
