OXFORD United suffered their second away defeat in the space of four days as Fleetwood Town ran out deserved winners at Highbury.

The home side’s greater quality in attacking areas proved the key, although they had to wait until the second half to make it pay.

Devante Cole missed three good chances before the break, but the dangerous David Ball made no mistake in the 50th minute.

Substitute Ashley Hunter doubled the advantage 20 minutes from time against a United side who lacked a cutting edge where it counted most.

It was only the second time in 18 months they had lost successive league games, but a first three points cannot come soon enough.

After weighing up his options, U’s boss Michael Appleton handed Miles Welch-Hayes his senior debut.

The 19-year-old from Wolvercote replaced the suspended Sam Long at right back, while a foot injury to Curtis Nelson saw the fit-again Chey Dunkley return at centre half.

There was a further change on the bench, where Josh Ashby replaced Dan Crowley, who was ruled out with an ankle problem.

Welch-Hayes’s first touch in professional football was a cross in Town’s box, which summed up both sides’ intent to attack from the start.

Fleetwood played a fluid 4-3-3, with Ball particularly effective at finding space, and they created the clearer chances in a goalless first half.

The three best openings fell to Cole, son of former Manchester United and England striker Andy, who let United off the hook.

His first chance came on 14 minutes, which he headed over after Chris Long had got the better of Aaron Martin and looped a cross into the six-yard box.

United were more competitive than they had been in defeat at Bristol Rovers on Sunday, but the final third remained a problem.

They had several threatening moments around the box, without pulling the trigger.

Chris Maguire was the exception, volleying one effort wide and testing Cod Army goalkeeper Chris Neal with another effort in quick succession midway through the half.

The visitors did not carve out anything as clear as the two opportunities which fell to Cole either side of the half-hour mark, though.

Dunkley got just enough on the ball as Long went past him to allow Simon Eastwood to race out and block the striker’s shot to Cole, who fired over from 12 yards on the turn.

The former Manchester City trainee had another good sight of goal minutes later when the ball broke to him 15 yards out, but he blazed wildly into a relieved away end.

United rallied to finish the half brightly, although the sum total of their effort was a left-footed shot from Sercombe which found the side netting.

The deadlock was broken five minutes after the break.

Welch-Hayes cut out a pass aimed at Cole, but United did not clear the danger and Ball curled a left-footed shot from 20 yards which found the net via Eastwood’s fingertips and the far post.

Sercombe flicked a header wide and fired a 20-yard shot just over as United searched for a rapid response.

But as the visitors pushed forward, Fleetwood found the gaps.

Midway through the half they should have doubled the lead when Sercombe’s shot was blocked, launching a three-on-two attack. Not for the first time Cole’s lack of composure frustrated the home fans, as his over-hit cross allowed the danger to pass.

It was the striker’s last act, being substituted for Hunter, who made the game safe within two minutes of coming on by arrowing a low shot past Eastwood.

United had plenty of the ball in the closing stages, without causing Neal any moments of real concern as Fleetwood closed out the victory in comfort.

Fleetwood Tn (4-3-3): Neal, McLaughlin, Pond, Eastham, Bell, Jonsson (Nirennold 63), Ryan, Grant, Ball, Long (Amadi-Holloway 79), Cole (Hunter 68).

Unused subs: Cairns, Kip, Bolger, Duckworth.

Booked: Grant.

Oxford Utd (4-4-2): Eastwood, Welch-Hayes, Dunkley, Martin, Skarz, MacDonald, Sercombe, Lundstram, Maguire, Taylor, Hemmings, Subs used: Thomas (Taylor 65), T Roberts (MacDonald 87), Rothwell (Maguire 87).

Unused subs: Buchel, Ruffels, Ashby, Rothwell, T Roberts, J Roberts.

Booked: None.

Referee: David Webb (County Durham).

Attendance: 2,614 (395 visitors).