A BELOW par Oxford United lost for the first time since March as they were unable to find a way past ten-man Northampton Town.

Sam Hoskins's 23rd-minute header proved the difference, but the visitors had ample opportunity to extend their 14-game unbeaten run in Sky Bet League Two.

On the stroke of half-time Jason Taylor was red carded for an off the ball incident in the area.

Danny Hylton's penalty was saved and despite United having the vast majority of possession in the second half, they struggled to create chances.

Northampton defended well, but the visitors will be desperately disappointed with a performance where they fell well short of their normal standards.

As expected, United were forced into two changes from the XI which began the 1-0 win at Bristol Rovers on Sunday.

John Lundstram came in for the suspended Liam Sercombe in midfield, while Callum O'Dowda replaced the injured Kemar Roofe.

Johnny Mullins was also still not fit, so Chey Dunkley continued at centre half.

The defender made an excellent challenge at a corner in the third minute, which left Ryan Cresswell requiring treatment.

Town's towering centre back was still getting back up to speed when United opened the home side up in the tenth minute.

Hylton beat two men and played O'Dowda through on goal, but a poor first touch allowed goalkeeper Adam Smith to race out and smother the chance.

It was a rare promising moment for the visitors in a first half where they struggled to get going.

Northampton pressed them high up the pitch, forcing United into a host of mistakes in possession.

The home side's game plan was to move the ball out wide and cross for Marc Richards, who forced the ball into the net in the 16th minute, only for it to be ruled out for a foul.

Town opened the scoring seven minutes later, when Jason Taylor's incisive pass found Nicky Adams, whose fine cross was headed in by Hoskins.

The game quickly became bogged down after the goal, with the home side sitting deep and thwarting United's attempts to construct anything meaningful.

It appeared to be drifting towards half-time, but in the 45th minute referee Neil Swarbrick spotted an incident involving Jason Taylor off the ball.

It resulted in a straight red card for the midfielder and a penalty for United.

With Roofe not on the pitch Hylton, who lost his role as the side's spot kick taker in pre-season, stepped up, only to see Smith divert his weak effort round the post.

United only had to wait seconds after half-time for their next opening.

Danny Rose played a superb curling ball for Ryan Taylor, whose shot on the angle was saved well by Smith.

It set the tone for the half, with United now dominating possession and Northampton putting their ten men behind the ball.

They proved tough to break down and it took 15 minutes before the visitors began to turn their time on the ball into pressure.

O'Dowda began to get some space and the U's won a flurry of set pieces, but Northampton, marshalled by Cresswell, defended well.

Patrick Hoban and, late on, AJ George were thrown on to add attacking options, but still United laboured.

Debutant George caused panic in stoppage time with a cross which Smith missed, but O'Dowda's header across goal could not find a yellow shirt as United slumped to defeat.

Northampton Tn: Smith, Brisley, Furlong, Cresswell, Buchanan, Taylor, Byrom (Corry 69), Adams (Watson ht), D'Ath, Richards, Hoskins (Potter 77).

Unused subs: Clarke, Lelan, McDonald, Calvert-Lewin Oxford Utd: Slocombe, Baldock, Dunkley, Wright, Skarz (George 89), MacDonald (Hoban 72), Lundstram, Rose, O'Dowda, Hylton, Taylor.

Unused subs: Buchel, Hawtin, Ruffels, Cundy, Roberts.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).

Attendance: 4,838 (931 visitors).