Oxford United went down 2-0 at Eastleigh’s Silverlake Stadium in their penultimate friendly.

United, who started with a mixture of triallists and first-team players, including No 1 goalkeeper Ryan Clarke, fell to goals from former United player Craig McAllister and Jai Reason, the latter netting in the dying moments.

The U’s had the ball in the net on 32 minutes after Adam Chapman found Tom Craddock in space, but United’s captain for the day was flagged offside.

The Spitfires went ahead when Marvin Williams raced through to reach the ball just before Clarke, setting up McAllister for an easy finish.

Youth team player Callum O’Dowda drew a full-length save from Jack Dovey, while Craddock hit a post before the break.

United kept the same line-up for the second half and after 52 minutes, JP Pittman went close to an equaliser with a shot that just cleared the bar. At the other end, McAllister’s angled shot beat Clarke but came back off a post.

With five minutes remaining, O’Dowda’s early cross found Craddock on the edge of the six-yard box, but he was crowded out as he tried to turn and the chance went begging.

Then, with two minutes on the clock, Eastleigh made sure of the win as Reason converted a low cross.

 

Oxford Utd: Clarke, Kamara, Foot, Tafazoli, McGinty, Chapman, Peterlin, Craddock, Pittman, Marsh, O’Dowda (Long 88).

Attendance: 290.