KEMAR Roofe's penalty ensured Oxford United remain unbeaten this season as they claimed a breathless 1-1 draw at Mansfield Town.

Again the U's had to come from behind, conceding to Craig Westcarr in the second minute.

Matt Green smacked a penalty off the crossbar as Mansfield made a rapid start, but the visitors belatedly got in the game.

Alex MacDonald struck the woodwork before the break, but Roofe made it four goals for the season just before the hour after Callum O'Dowda was fouled.

United looked the more likely side to win the game in the remaining half-hour, but had to settle for a point amid a fractious finish, with nine players booked.

O'Dowda's reward for his excellent midweek display off the bench in the 3-1 win against Notts County was a first start of the season, in place of Patrick Hoban.

United arrived full of confidence, but they made a dreadful start.

Within two minutes Mansfield raced into the lead, when Craig Westcarr rammed home a volley after Adam Chapman's long throw was only half-cleared.

It meant for the fourth game running United had conceded the opening goal - and it almost got worse.

Sam Slocombe got in a muddle as he tried to let a through ball out for a goal kick, but Mitchell Rose managed to nick the ball, prompting the goalkeeper to trip the forward.

Green took the spot kick, but could only slam his effort against the crossbar.

United could count themselves fortunate and looked to punish the miss.

Danny Hylton led the fight, shooting over after turning Krystian Pearce easily in the 14th minute.

United's No 10 also laid on a chance for George Baldock, who darted inside and curled just off target with his left foot.

Hylton's third contribution in quick succession really opened Mansfield up. Again Pearce was left in the forward's wake, but after getting into the six-yard box Hylton could not pick out a teammate with his cross.

While United were beginning to show signs of life at one end, they remained worryingly vulnerable at the back.

Green took on Jake Wright and Johnny Mullins single-handedly at times and often came out on top.

Midway through the half he chased down a ball which should have been cleared by Mullins, shrugging off the centre back before shooting straight at Slocombe.

United gave the ball away cheaply too often, but when they did string passes together late in the half Mansfield's resistance began to fray.

Mitchell Rose and Nicky Hunt were booked and the visitors were given several free-kicks around the box.

Kemar Roofe came close with one which Brian Jensen tipped over, but the 40-year-old was beaten two minutes before the break.

A training ground routine gave Alex MacDonald a chance and he blasted low, only to see his shot strike the foot of Jensen's left post.

It was virtually the last action of the game for the winger, who was on a booking and came off at the break for Ryan Taylor.

The substitute held the ball up well and the change saw Roofe, who had been subdued in the first half, switch to a wide role.

O'Dowda swapped to the right flank and just before the hour his anticipation and pace saw him win a penalty as Reggie Lambe's late lunge sent the winger into the air.

With MacDonald off the pitch Roofe assumed duties from 12 yards and coolly sent Jensen the wrong way to make it 1-1.

It gave both sides half an hour to find a winner - and neither looked interested in settling for a draw.

Roofe was suddenly a threat and had the beating of Nicky Hunt, who had been booked in the first half.

The United No 4 had a brilliant chance to double his tally 14 minutes from time, but skewed George Baldock's low cross wide from six yards.

While Mansfield were capable of causing some nervous moments, United continue to create the chances.

Jensen made a smart save from Hylton, who had beaten both Mansfield centre backs after a pinpoint pass from Taylor.

The game grew increasingly bad tempered as it entered the final stages, with a host of bookings dished out by referee Ben Toner.

United had scored in stoppage time to draw 2-2 at Luton Town a week earlier.

Danny Rose came the closest to another dramatic finish, but Jensen got down to save his low shot.

Mansfield Tn: Jensen, Hunt (Collins 72), Tafazolli, Pearce, Benning, Rose (J Thomas 55), Chapman, Lambe (N Thomas 67), Clements, Westcarr, Green.

Unused subs: Marsden, McGuire, Beardsley, Yussuf.

Oxford Utd: Slocombe, Baldock, Mullins, Wright, Skarz, MacDonald (Taylor ht), Sercombe, Rose, O'Dowda (Ruffels 80), Roofe, Hylton (Hoban 88).

Unused subs: Crocombe, Long, Dunkley, Lundstram.

Referee: Ben Toner (Lancashire).

Attendance: 3,112 (547 visitors).