Oxford United 3 (Forster-Caskey 9, Smalley 55, Potter 81) AFC Wimbledon 2 (Harrison 20, Fenlon 36) (From Banbury Cake)

Oxford United 3 (Forster-Caskey 9, Smalley 55, Potter 81) AFC Wimbledon 2 (Harrison 20, Fenlon 36)

11:03pm Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in Sport By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458

ALFIE Potter struck a priceless winner as Oxford United came from behind to end their six-game losing run.

The U's top scorer converted Tom Craddock's cross to see off a spirited AFC Wimbledon in a game where both defences looked vulnerable.

Jake Forster-Caskey had given United a perfect start by opening the scoring with a free-kick, but goals from Byron Harrison and Jim Fenlon gave the visitors a half time lead.

Deane Smalley levelled the scores early in the second half, before Potter clinched maximum points in the closing stages.

The hosts made two changes to the team which started the 3-1 defeat at Rotherham United on Saturday.

Luke O'Brien replaced Tony Capaldi at left back, while Smalley came in for Harry Worley as the U's switched to 4-4-2.

Wayne Brown was again preferred to Ryan Clarke and the goalkeeper had to make a save inside the opening 15 seconds.

The ball fell invitingly to Sammy Moore, whose volley was turned round the post. From the corner George Farncomb's flick hit an upright and bounced clear.

Sean Rigg led the response and one driving run was cynically halted by Farncomb, who was booked.

It earned a free-kick 20 yards out just left of centre, which Forster-Caskey bent over the wall and into the net.

But just as they had done three days earlier, United failed to make the most of an early lead.

AFC Wimbledon's recent form had been almost as bad as their opponents, but they hit back strongly to level in the 20th minute.

Yado Mambo rose highest at a corner and although his header hit the crossbar, Harrison converted the rebound with a neat overhead effort from close range.

United looked extremely vulnerable defensively and should have conceded again on the half hour mark.

Astonishingly, one long clearance was enough to send Harrison through on goal. The striker rounded Brown, but saw his shot deflected wide by Michael Raynes.

It was the centre back's last action and he limped off with what looked a hamstring injury, replaced by Worley.

United could not make the most of the let-off and Wimbledon found the net nine minutes before the break.

The home fans inside the sparsely populated Kassam did their best to get their side going.

It had some success, with Forster-Caskey and Craddock having low shots saved by Wombles goalkeeper Seb Brown. Smalley also had a header deflected over just before the break.

United did draw level ten minutes into the second half.

Rigg came in off the flank and crossed for Potter. The winger's glanced header was awkward for Brown, who spilled for the lurking Smalley to tap in.

At the other end Wayne Brown picked up a problem. It nearly proved costly, as while Clarke warmed up Christian Jolley curled a 25-yard shot which Brown could only watch as it hit the inside of the post and bounced clear.

The goalkeeping change was United's third of the night, with a groin injury for ing Lee Cox off at the break, depriving Wilder of the option to bring on James Constable or Peter Leven for the latter stages.

Both sides continued to look better going forward than they did at the back.

The only surprise was it took until the 81st minute for another goal to arrive.

United grabbed it, when Potter flicked in Craddock's low cross for his fourth goal of the season, much to the relief of the home fans.

There was one heart-stopping moment late on, when Will Antwi headed against the crossbar and when he shot on the follow-up Clarke made a brilliant save low to his left.

It was a critical moment, as United saw out five tense minutes in stoppage time to claim a precious result.

Oxford (4-4-2): Brown, Batt, Raynes, Wright, O'Brien, Potter, Cox, Forster-Caskey, Rigg, Craddock, Smalley.

Subs used: Worley (Raynes 32), Heslop (Cox ht), Clarke (Brown 60).

Unused subs: Capaldi, Boateng, Constable, Leven.

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