Oxford share stalemate with Bristol City in Matt Bloomfield’s first game

Oxford and Bristol City played out a messy goalless draw at the Kassam Stadium in Matt Bloomfield’s first match as Oxford’s new boss.

The point leaves the Us second from bottom in the Sky Bet Championship table.

After a scrappy first half lacking in quality, Oxford had some attacking moments near the end but City defended resolutely and goalkeeper Radek Vitek had only two saves of note to make.

The most important one came in stoppage time when he superbly saved Stan Mills’s shot with his foot.

The Us gave a debut to 20-year-old Turkish midfielder Yunus Konak, who has signed on loan from Brentford until the end of the season, while the Robins welcomed back Vitek after a knee injury.

Spectators had to wait until the 14th minute for the game’s first effort on goal, City’s Scott Twine firing in a low shot from distance that brought a comfortable save from Jamie Cumming.

After good work on the right by Zak Vyner, striker Emil Riis might have done better than shoot wide from 14 yards in the visitors’ next attack.

For a spell the play was very scrappy with referee Tim Robinson constantly blowing up for fouls, and United found it hard to develop any rhythm to their play.

When Bristol City were awarded a free-kick in a very dangerous position, central and 20 yards out, Twine must have fancied his chances – but he bent his shot over the bar.

Bloomfield brought on Will Vaulks for Konak for the second half, while George Earthy replaced Twine for City.

Riis headed over from a difficult chance early in the second half as the game started to open up more, though Oxford were still struggling to get close to Vitek’s goal.

Cameron Brannagan continued to try to make things happen for the home side, but kept running into cul-de-sacs as City closed down space well.

When Will Lankshear turned a right-wing cross from Sam Long narrowly wide, it lifted the home fans, although Lankshear was offside in any case.

It also renewed belief in Oxford’s players and in the 73rd minute they managed their first effort on target, with Vitek saving from Mills and Brannagan seeing his follow-up effort blocked.

Bloomfield’s men were at last looking more threatening, especially when Mills was released down the right.

Substitute Yu Hirakawa added some energy for the Robins and was a danger down the left, but the match petered out.

City at least prevented Oxford doing the double over them, after they triumphed 3-1 at Ashton Gate in September, but this was a game that will not live long in the memory.