Cameron Brannagan hit a long-range screamer in the thickening fog to earn Oxford victory over third-placed Ipswich.
The result was a blow to Town’s hopes of closing the gap on the top two Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday in the League One promotion race.
But the Yellows were delighted as they avenged a 3-0 pummeling at Portman Road on Boxing Day to stay within eight points of the play-off places.
Suriname international Yanic Wildschut scored his first Oxford goal in the 34th minute, dribbling past two defenders before prodding a shot under goalkeeper Christian Walton.
Town responded quickly, with left-back Leif Davis heading Marcus Harness’ cross down past Simon Eastwood and into the bottom corner just four minutes later for his first professional goal.
Ipswich had good chances. Wes Burns drove against the top of the crossbar and George Hirst shot wide from a great position.
The fog worsened in the second half and spectators were left guessing at what was happening on the opposite side of the ground.
The contest was settled when Brannagan hammered in a right-footed winner from outside the box with seven minutes to go.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Oxford Utd
Formation 3-5-2
- 13Eastwood
- 2Long
- 5Moore
- 16Brown
- 33AndersonSubstituted forGoodrhamat 83′minutes
- 14BateSubstituted forFindlayat 89′minutes
- 18McGuaneSubstituted forTaylorat 65′minutes
- 8Brannagan
- 3Fleming
- 30WildschutSubstituted forJosephat 65′minutes
- 7BodinSubstituted forO’Donkorat 82′minutes
Substitutes
- 4Findlay
- 9Taylor
- 22Joseph
- 27Goodrham
- 28Negro
- 31Plumley
- 39O’Donkor
Ipswich
Formation 3-4-3
- 1Walton
- 44DonacienBooked at 81minsSubstituted forClarkeat 85′minutes
- 6Woolfenden
- 15Burgess
- 7burnsSubstituted forJacksonat 86′minutes
- 5Morsy
- 8evans
- 3Davis
- 11harnessSubstituted forBroadheadat 64′minutes
- 27HirstSubstituted forLadapoat 64′minutes
- 10ChaplinSubstituted forAlukoat 85′minutes
Substitutes
- 9Ladapo
- 19Jackson
- 23Aluko
- 25Long
- 31Hladky
- 33Broadhead
- 34Clarke
Live Text
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Match ends, Oxford United 2, Ipswich Town 1.
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Second Half ends, Oxford United 2, Ipswich Town 1.
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Foul by Nathan Broadhead (Ipswich Town).
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Matty Taylor (Oxford United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Hand ball by Nathan Broadhead (Ipswich Town).
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Offside, Oxford United. Stuart Findlay tries a through ball, but Matty Taylor is caught offside.
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Attempt blocked. Matty Taylor (Oxford United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Tyler Goodrham.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Substitution, Oxford United. Stuart Findlay replaces Lewis Bate.
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Delay in match (Ipswich Town).
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Attempt blocked. Nathan Broadhead (Ipswich Town) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is blocked.
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Attempt blocked. Nathan Broadhead (Ipswich Town) right footed shot from the center of the box is blocked.
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Harry Clarke (Ipswich Town) hits the bar with a header from the left side of the six yard box. Assisted by Leif Davis with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Ipswich Town. Granted by Ciaron Brown.
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Corner, Ipswich Town. Granted by Tyler Goodrham.
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Substitution, Ipswich Town. Kayden Jackson replaces Wes Burns.
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Substitution, Ipswich Town. Son Aluko replaces Conor Chaplin.
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Substitution, Ipswich Town. Harry Clarke replaces Janoi Donacien.
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Hand ball by Matty Taylor (Oxford United).
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Attempt saved. Freddie Ladapo (Ipswich Town) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the center of the goal. Assisted by Nathan Broadhead.