Oxford hold Burnley to goalless draw

Burnley’s bid to make it three Championship wins on the spin was thwarted by a resilient Oxford in a somewhat dour goalless draw at the Kassam Stadium.

The U’s had won all four previous home games this campaign, including three in the league, while the Clarets were in good form after recent victories at Leeds and against Portsmouth.

In a game of few clear chances, Scott Parker’s men went close with Jamie Cumming tipping Luca Koleosho’s effort over the bar early in the second half.

And hard-working Oxford almost grabbed victory late on when Tyler Goodrham saw his low shot blocked on the line by Maxime Esteve.

These clubs were two divisions apart six months ago but Oxford, who won promotion from League One through the play-offs, did not appear overawed by the opposition players, many of whom were playing in the Premier League last season.

U’s boss Des Buckingham gave a debut at centre-back to ex-England Under-20 international Ben Nelson alongside captain Elliott Moore.

It was Burnley’s first visit to the three-sided Kassam Stadium, where for the first time the electronic scoreboard was showing live match action – the sides last locking horns at Oxford’s old Manor Ground in 2000.

A raking crossfield pass by CJ Egan-Riley and good work on the left by Jeremy Sarmiento and Josh Brownhill created an early opportunity for the Clarets, but Hannibal Mejbri was just unable to meet Josh Cullen’s cross.

The visitors passed the ball around crisply and began to dominate possession with the U’s needing all their powers of concentration to defend their goal.

Lyle Foster scooped a first-time shot wide in a decent position from Koleosho’s cutback. Koleosho then provided the assist for Foster, whose shot from 16 yards deflected into the side netting.

Sarmiento should have done better than drive well wide from 20 yards after cutting in from the left.

Hannibal’s trickery often caused United problems, and just before the break, Foster headed a Brownhill free-kick narrowly over the bar.

Oxford forced their first corner of the game early in the second half, and from Will Vaulks’ delivery, Moore’s header was saved low near his post by James Trafford.

Home keeper Cumming tipped over Koleosho’s drive after he played a quick one-two with Hannibal.

Hannibal looked Burnley’s most dangerous player, and the Tunisia international fired a 20-yard shot wide following some neat footwork.

A superb run and cutback by Koleosho should have presented an opener for the Clarets, but Sarmiento blazed over, while in the closing minutes substitute Andreas Hountondji hit the ball wide when it came to him quickly 10 yards out.