LIAM Sercombe struck the winner as Oxford United produced a display full of quality and grit to beat league leaders Plymouth Argyle 1-0 at the Kassam Stadium.

The Devon-born midfielder swept in George Baldock's cross on 32 minutes to put United ahead.

Argyle were fortunate not to be out of the game by half-time, as Alex MacDonald and Ryan Taylor hit the post with efforts and Kemar Roofe had a goal ruled out.

But with the game still alive, United had to dig in and defend in the second half to keep the Pilgrims out.

The hosts struck the woodwork again through Patrick Hoban late on, but it did not prove costly as the U's held on for a victory which cut the gap to Argyle down to two points.

Danny Hylton returned to the starting line-up along with MacDonald, as Jordan Graham missed out through suspension and Callum O'Dowda dropped to the bench.

Both sides went into the game in excellent form and it showed in a confident start.

High quality attacking moves threatened at either end, but United went on to gain the upper hand.

They had already caused problems with sharp approach play before putting the leaders under pressure in a 20-minute spell in the middle of the half.

Baldock had what looked a good shout for a penalty claim turned down, before United hit the woodwork twice in quick succession.

MacDonald was the first to be denied, curling a fine first-time shot which hit Luke McCormick's left post.

Taylor's dummy had set up the chance and the next opening fell to the striker.

Played in by Hylton, he came agonisingly close to opening his goalscoring account for United as he dinked a shot which hit McCormick's right-hand post and rebounded into the goalkeeper's arms.

With the next attack Kemar Roofe found the net, only for the assistant referee to judge the ball had gone out of play as Hylton crossed.

Argyle were riding their luck - and it ran out on 32 minutes.

Hylton fed the ever-willing Baldock, whose cut-back was finished by Sercombe for his fifth goal of the season.

The visitors looked rattled and their scrambled minds were summed up by a dreadful dive from Jake Jervis in the box which was lucky to escape a booking.

Given the balance of play, the leaders will have been mightily relieved to reach the comfort of the dressing room at half-time only one goal down.

The break appeared to do them good and Argyle took the initiative when play restarted.

United were forced to do plenty of defending and it took several important interventions from skipper Jake Wright to defuse dangerous situations.

Graham Carey twice threatened with set pieces before the hour mark, United hacking the first away from their six-yard box, before the midfielder curled the second wide.

United's attacking threat was diminished, but they still retained a menace on the break.

Midway through the half McCormick made an excellent low save to keep out a MacDonald shot after yet another forward run and cross from Baldock.

Plymouth, though, were calling the shots and United had to defend manfully against a side which moved the ball quickly.

It preserved the lead and United came close again to make the closing stages more comfortable.

Substitute Patrick Hoban leapt to meet a corner, only to see McCormick divert it on to the crossbar.

The Irishman kicked out in pure frustration and the fingertip save ensured a tense finale, but United saw out the remaining minutes to claim victory.

Oxford Utd (4-4-2): Slocombe, Baldock, Mullins, Wright, Skarz, Roofe, Sercombe, Lundstram, MacDonald, Hylton, Taylor.

Subs used: O'Dowda (MacDonald 80), Hoban (Taylor 80), Rose (Roofe 88).

Unused subs: Buchel, Dunkley, Ruffels, George.

Booked: None.

Plymouth (4-1-4-1): McCormick, Mellor, Nelson, Hartley, Sawyer, McHugh, Carey, Simpson, Boateng, Wylde (Tanner 72), Jervis (Brunt 85).

Subs used: Bittner, Cox, T Harvey, Purrington, Threlkeld.

Booked: Nelson, Carey.

Referee: Rob Lewis (Shropshire).

Attendance: 7,007 (982 visitors).