Oxford United are still without a point on their travels after a 2-1 defeat on the road at Blackburn.

Mark Harris gave the U’s the lead with a goal of the season contender but the visitors conceded two goals at the wrong time.

Here are three talking points from the game.

Starting Line-Up

Oxford headed to Ewood Park with two key players missing. Captain Elliott Moore was out with a knock to his knee while influential midfielder Cameron Brannagan was absent with illness.

It meant Sam Long partnered Ciaron Brown in defence with Peter Kioso and Joe Bennett as the fullbacks.

Will Vaulks continued in the holding role with Idris El Mizouni coming in for Brannagan, alongside Ruben Rodrigues.

Tyler Goodrham switched to the left with Matt Phillips selected on the right to help provide defensive cover for Kioso, with Harris leading the line.

Substitutions

Przemyslaw Placheta was the first player to enter the field, replacing Rodrigues on 58 minutes. However, the Pole struggled to get into the game on either flank after Greg Leigh came in for Phillips.

Placheta then picked up a knock and Des Buckingham was forced into a double change with Owen Dale replacing him while Louie Sibley came on for El Mizouni, with the score still level.

In hindsight, would the introduction of Josh McEachran alongside Vaulks have helped Oxford see out the game, or was the head coach right to stick with the same attacking impetus?

Blackburn Goals Came at a Bad Time for Oxford

When Harris fizzed a strike from the best part of 30 yards on 44 minutes, it looked like the U’s would head into the break with a vital lead after a promising first half display.

However, Rovers hit back immediately with defensive frailty the reason Oxford were unable to clear the ball.

The U’s then made their double change on 81 minutes but Blackburn hit Oxford on the break one minute later and the players were unable to find their positions, so ultimately another error at the back.

Sibley had a late chance which was blocked, before Dale struck one over. Vaulks then had three successive corners but the visitors weren’t able to capitalise on their late pressure.