Standing firm for plus point

BACK OF THE NET . . . defender Cameron Burgess can't miss as he slots home for Athletic

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THERE were tackles aplenty, including one too many from Ousmane Fane, along with snarls in the technical areas and a new sense of the importance of the prosaic in the city of dreaming spires.

Athletic were back 'at it', to use the modern parlance. Not always pretty and not always composed on the ball, sure, but at least recognisable to their manager Stephen Robinson again.

Despite a series of hefty challenges - the excellent Billy Mckay needed six stitches and glue in a head wound and scorer Cameron Burgess suffered a bloody nose after one hefty collision, though possibly with a team-mate - and a referee in Brett Huxtable who lost control of a bad-tempered contest, Athletic did not yield even when Fane was sent off just before the hour.

Oxford went out to emulate Lincoln City's physical style, but on this occasion, Athletic were in no mood to wave the white flag.

Connor Ripley was in his usual form - it would be startling if it weren't so ordinary for him to produce several brilliant saves per game - and the fact Athletic got a point against well-heeled opponents seemed to get right in the noses of the hosts.

COMMENT

When Athletic's goalkeeping coach Carlo Nash made a comment in the 79th minute after a Ryan McLaughlin foul, Oxford manager Michael Appleton erupted and had to be held back by colleagues. Both men were sent off by the ponderous Huxtable, who was too easily influenced by gamesmanship all afternoon.

Even Athletic's team selection left no room for sentiment. Out went two of Robinson's most talented players and countrymen, Cameron Dummigan and nearly-man Carl Winchester, with five changes in total providing a strong reaction on paper to the Sincil Bank embarrassment.

Out went the long-held preference for two up front, in favour of a more solid approach which saw Fane team up with Paul Green and Ollie Banks in central midfield. Josh Law replaced Dummigan at right-back and Charles Dunne was in for Jamie Reckord after his Lincoln nightmare.

Lee Erwin was dropped, though he later came on to replace Mckay without too much of an impact, while Freddie Ladapo was injured and there was a spot for Ryan Flynn, who was out of the FA Cup loss through sickness.

Athletic went in front after 10 minutes thanks to a first senior goal from Burgess. The centre-back was right on the spot to capitalise after a flighted free-kick from Banks which caused home goalkeeper Simon Eastwood to charge out fruitlessly, clawing at thin air with the rebound falling for the on-loan Fulham player to roll home into an empty goal. There was a suspicion offside, with TV replays inconclusive.

LEVELLED

Kane Hemmings almost levelled a minute later, when lifting over the bar a measured centre from the lively Chris Maguire, before at the other end as Robinson's side settled into what was a comfortable advantage, McLaughlin got what seemed like a significant nudge in the back when trying to attack a cross.

Mckay was doing an excellent job of haranguing Oxford defenders to win possession high up the field and after Athletic had sufficiently defended a stream of corner kicks there was a good chance for 2-0 in 41st minute.

Smart work from Mckay was allied to a cross from Dunne that Flynn cleverly ducked out of. Banks' first touch was perfect but the finish, to the right of the area and only 12 yards out, was rushed and he pulled the attempt way off target.

Oxford started the second half the stronger and after Mckay succumbed to a cut - a huge blow for Athletic given how crucial he was to the formation - Appleton's side levelled.

Hemmings had earlier struck a 20-yard skimmer a foot wide, but when Rob Hall lined up from even further out, the accuracy was spot-on. Searing past a rooted Ripley and into the top-right of his goal from 25 yards out, it was some strike.

Fane had already been booked for a debatable foul in the first half when the livewire left-back Marvin Johnson skated around him near the byline. There wasn't much contact, but Fane got in an awkward position and though he was some distance away, Huxtable could barely wait to brandish a yellow card followed by a red.

The game got heated. Banks fouled Hall, who got up and shoved over Banks. The pair were both booked, as was Ripley late on for time-wasting.

Ripley continued to make excellent saves - one in particular from Johnson in the 75th minute was a pearler - before the drama in the technical areas sparked after a high foot by McLaughlin which Athletic felt was embellished by Phil Edwards.

Nash and Appleton, the latter a former Preston colleague of Robinson's, later shared amicable words in the tunnel.

Did the drama derail Oxford's charge? There weren't too many clear chances for them after it. Seven minutes of added time seen out, Athletic had a point they had to graft for, which wasn't a bad reward.

IN A NUTSHELL: Athletic dug in, against the odds.