TYRONE Barnett's strike saw Oxford United come from behind to take a point, but it took a man of the match display from Cheltenham Town goalkeeper Trevor Carson to deny the visitors an away win.

The Robins No 1, who was kept busy throughout, made outstanding saves to keep out shots from Callum O'Dowda and Danny Hylton in the final 20 minutes.

He was only beaten by a terrific low shot from Barnett, who struck to cancel out Byron Harrison's opener against the run of play early in the second half.

The draw extended United's unbeaten run to four games, but as with their goalless draw against AFC Wimbledon last week, United will feel frustrated not to have won the game.

As expected, Barnett replaced the injured James Roberts up front.

Head coach Michael Appleton also swapped Callum O'Dowda for Brian Howard as he reverted to a 4-2-3-1 system, while new signing John Campbell was named among the substitutes.

The game was the first in charge at Cheltenham for Paul Buckle, who will have been pleased with the way his side began.

They started on the front foot, with Harrison forcing an early save from Ryan Clarke.

The striker was presented with another shooting chance in the 11th minute, when Danny Rose gave the ball away cheaply, but Johnny Mullins was on hand to make an important block.

United did not threaten until the quarter-hour mark, when Barnett forced Carson to make a smart save after good work from Danny Hylton.

From then on, the visitors looked the more dangerous side up to half-time.

They knocked the ball around well and one crisp passage of play in the Cheltenham half on 19 minutes saw Hylton fouled just outside the box.

Joe Riley stepped up and thumped a terrific shot which beat Carson, only to smack against the crossbar and bounce clear.

Midway through the half an incisive break instigated by Potter eventually saw the winger having a shot well saved by Carson's legs.

Seconds later a high ball was volleyed wide by Barnett.

Cheltenham rallied to force a couple of corners, without stretching Clarke.

Instead, United finished the half on top, with Tareiq Holmes-Dennis blasting a shot just off target after a rapid break.

There was still time for Carson to make another save, punching away a powerful 20-yard effort from Hylton which was just too close to the goalkeeper.

Despite not being in front, the visitors will have been fairly pleased with their efforts, but within six minutes of the restart they trailed.

It came out of the blue thanks to a flash of quality, with Harrison expertly turning in Jack Deaman's cross from the right.

On the balance of play it was harsh on United, but they responded well.

Hylton and O'Dowda fired warning shots from range and within nine minutes of falling behind they got back on level terms.

Andy Whing's precise pass saw Barnett spring the offside trap and the striker raced into the penalty area before smashing a low shot past Carson and into the net.

With half an hour still to play, the game really opened up as both sides went in search of a second goal.

O'Dowda skidded a shot narrowly wide, while at the other end Clarke made an excellent parry to keep out Harrison's shot on the turn.

Carson continued to be the busier of the two goalkeepers, though.

Cheltenham's No 1 made a superb stop to tip a shot from O'Dowda over the bar from a Holmes-Dennis centre.

He made an even better save eight minutes from time, sticking out his right boot to divert a shot from Hylton wide following Barnett's flick-on.

United did not force a better chance in the closing minutes, despite having plenty of possession in the final third and while they can be pleased with plenty of elements in the game, there will be irritation over only picking up a single point.

Cheltenham Tn: Carson, Deaman, M Taylor, Brown, Braham-Barrett, Ferdinand, J Taylor, Richards, De Vita (Kotwica 66), Harrison, Gornell (Hanks 75).

Unused subs: Haworth, Gould, Black, Sterling-James, Williams.

Oxford Utd: Clarke, Riley, Mullins, Wright, Holmes-Dennis, Potter (Collins 79), Whing, Rose, O'Dowda, Hylton, Barnett.

Unused subs: Crocombe, Dunkley, Meades, Ruffels, Howard, Campbell.

Attendance: 3,002 (774 visitors).

Referee: Patrick Miller (Bedfordshire).