Oxford United 1, York City 0

Frightful York City managed just one on-target goal attempt for the second successive match – a 78th-minute Mark Greaves header which was cleared off the line, leaving home ’keeper Billy Turley without a save to make in his side’s 1-0 victory.

At the other end, Oxford hardly peppered Michael Ingham’s goal, but substitute Yemi Odubade showed exemplary coolness when given a late opportunity to settle the outcome from the penalty spot, having been hacked down in the area by Darren Kelly.

Irish centre-back Kelly had been recalled to the starting line up as City chief Colin Walker reverted to a 3-5-2 formation, with Onome Sodje also back to play alongside Daniel McBreen in attack.

But Sodje and McBreen – on paper the ideal little-and-large combination – never really functioned as a partnership, bickering on occasions and rarely linking up with one another.

Behind them, Simon Russell looked busy at times, but failed to fully capitalise on the freedom he was afforded as his side’s extra body in midfield and seldom set foot in the opposition’s penalty box.

Simon Rusk and Greaves sat even deeper while crosses in open play from wing-backs Purkiss and Mark Robinson were also scarce.

As a result, the Minstermen’s goal threat was once more limited to dead-ball situations and hopeful long-range pot-shots.

The first of those came on ten minutes when Russell sliced woefully wide from the edge of the box.

Seconds later, Turley’s long punt almost led to a goal when Kelly left the ball for a sliding Ingham.

The City stopper then let a greasy ball slip from his grasp, only for Oxford striker Jamie Guy to hurry his shot on the turn and miss the target from 15 yards with the goal at his mercy.

Another long goal kick – this time from Ingham – saw Sodje harass right-back Matt Day and fire a shot wide of Turley’s near post form the edge of the box.

Sadly, for the 20-year-old striker, he received little service of that kind from his outfield team-mates.

On 31 minutes, Robinson dashed into the six-yard box and was inches away from making contact with Russell’s inswinging, right-wing cross, but Oxford finished the first half stronger with Ingham saving a long-range Day attempt, Lewis Haldane lifting a ten-yard opportunity over and Guy also going close from the edge of the area.

After the interval, Russell wriggled away from two midfield challengers before disappointing again with his final product – a weak off-target 25-yard effort.

Odubade was introduced on 63 minutes and called Ingham into action with a firm, sidefooted shot soon afterwards. Home striker James Constable, positioned on the near post for Purkiss’ corner from the right, then kicked away Greaves’ goalbound header before nodding wide himself after climbing above Ingham to meet left-back Chris Carruthers’ hanging cross.

But the game was won and lost when Odubade appeared to catch right-sided centre-back Danny Parslow napping as he pursued Phil Trainer’s speculative long ball.

Clear of City’s former Welsh under-21 international, a determined Odubade was then kicked by Kelly as he attempted to clear the danger and referee Rob Lewis showed no hesitation in pointing the spot.

A more languid Odubade then converted from 12 yards, casually sidefooting into Ingham’s bottom right-hand corner as the Northern Ireland international dived in the opposite direction.

The goal saw City return to the bottom half of the table with just three wins from their last 17 matches.

Two of those triumphs came in consecutive fixtures and a significant section of supporters once more vented their dissatisfaction at the final whistle.

Match facts

Oxford 1 (Yemi Odubade 87 (pen)), York City 0

City: Michael Ingham 6, Ben Purkiss 6, Danny Parslow 6, David McGurk 7, Darren Kelly 5, Mark Robinson 7, Mark Greaves 6, Simon Rusk 5, Simon Russell 5, Onome Sodje 5, Daniel McBreen 5.

Substitutions: Craig Farrell (for Sodje, 71), Adam Boyes (for Russell, 86), Gavin Rothery (for Kelly, 90)

Subs not used: Mimms, Wilkinson.

Key: 10 – Faultless; 9 – Outstanding; 8 – Excellent; 7 – Good; 6 – Average; 5 – Below par; 4 – Poor; 3 – Dud; 2 – Hopeless; 1 – Retire.

City’s star man: McGurk – rarely looked troubled as City’s left-sided centre back.

Oxford: Billy Turley, Matt Day, Chris Willmott, Luke Foster, Chris Carruthers, Sam Deering, Adam Murray, Phil Trainer, Lewis Haldane (Eddie Hutchinson, 46), James Constable, Jamie Guy (Yemi Odubade, 63).

Subs: Ben Hinchcliffe, Matt Taylor, Joe Burnell.

Yellow cards: Robinson 22.

Shots on target: Oxford 4, York 1

Shots off target: Oxford 7, York 6

Corners: Oxford 5, York 5

Fouls conceded: Oxford 18, York 17

Offsides: Oxford 4, York 2

Referee: Rob Lewis (Shropshire). Rating: adequate, but seemed to make odd oversight including further punishment for Kelly for persistant climbing and the penalty incident.

Attendance: 4,449 (300 City fans).

Cross of the match: Russell’s bending ball that narrowly eluded Robinson in the first half.

Clearance of the match: Oxford striker Guy was in exactly the right spot for Greaves’ 78th-minute header.

Mistake of the match: Kelly’s clattering challenge on Odubade.

City player watch: Onome Sodje

Goal attempts on target: 0

Goal attempts off target: 1

Blocked goal attempts: 0

Passes to own player: 4

Passes to opposition: 6

Crosses to own player: 0

Crosses to opposition: 0

Pass completion rate: 40 per cent

Dribbles ball retained: 0

Dribbles ball lost: 4

Dribble completion rate: 0 per cent

Headers: 5

Tackles: 3

Clearances, blocks and interceptions: 0

Fouls won: 2

Fouls conceded: 1

Offsides: 2

Yellow cards: 0

Final summary: Onome Sodje had a quiet afternoon before being substituted on 71 minutes. He started reasonably brightly with a 13th-minute shot but, starved of decent service, he disappeared from the game. Sodje also failed to beat a man in four attempts, suggesting his match sharpness is yet to return after recent hamstring problems.