RYAN Taylor's rich vein of goalscoring form continued as he bagged the winner in a hard-fought game for Oxford United at home to Cambridge United.

The striker tucked home Alex MacDonald's pass to make it four goals in his last three appearances.

United had chances to make the game more comfortable, but a resolute Cambridge stayed in the contest.

They mounted a late barrage which needed some last-ditch defending to preserve the victory, but the home side survived to claim three points which consolidated their second place in Sky Bet League Two.

As expected, head coach Michael Appleton made plenty of changes from the side which started against Dagenham & Redbridge in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy on Wednesday.

George Baldock, Johnny Mullins, John Lundstram, Kemar Roofe and Taylor all returned, but Benji Buchel kept his place in goal.

United had taken a first-minute lead in the 2-0 win at Dagenham - and it took a superb save from Chris Dunn to deny them another fast start.

Roofe chipped the ball in for Danny Hylton, who was left all alone ten yards out, but his header was clawed out by the Cambridge goalkeeper.

Buchel also saw early action and will have been thankful Rory Gaffney's firm header was straight at him from Ryan Donaldson's third-minute cross.

The visitors were playing their first game for new boss Shaun Derry, who stood on the touchline cajoling throughout.

He will have been pleased to see his side press United, who took time to find their rhythm.

Cambridge looked a threat in the air and when Gaffney caused problems on 18 minutes the ball fell to Harrison Dunk, who lashed a shot just wide.

The U's did not really click until just after the half-hour mark, when they pounced on a chance.

Roofe won the ball 30 yards out and in a flash played in Alex MacDonald, who was on the same wavelength. The wide man could easily have taken the chance himself, but unselfishly drew out Dunn and squared for Taylor to bury his fourth goal in three appearances.

The in-form striker figured in most of United's best moments in the latter stages of the half.

He reacted quickest to a Johnny Mullins ball forward which skidded into a dangerous area, but Liam Sercombe just failed to get on the end of Taylor's back heel.

At 1-0, Cambridge were still well in the game, though.

They showed an ambition in possession which few visiting sides have matched at the Kassam this season, getting men forward wherever possible.

  • Highlights from the game, via Oxford United's official Youtube channel

Buchel had relatively little to do either side of half-time, but Cambridge's approach made the game uncomfortable.

United's search for a second goal to kill the game almost bore fruit on 57 minutes.

Hylton robbed Dunn as he dithered over a clearance and did well to stay on his feet before shooting from an acute angle, hitting the crossbar. It will have come to the relief of Cambridge, who would surely have conceded a penalty and had Dunn sent off if Hylton had gone down.

The visitors' first-half efforts appeared to catch up with them after the hour, when gaps began to appear.

United attacked with purpose and only a tight offside call denied Taylor a superb second goal on 65 minutes.

Roofe had a shot deflected wide and forced Dunn into a save with a header, as they cranked up the pressure.

But the second goal did not arrive and it made for a nervy finale.

Cambridge's final ball let them down, but late on they had their best spell.

A flurry of corners led to MacDonald, Baldock and Hylton clearing efforts off the line.

Buchel also clawed another set piece out of danger as United saw out the final seconds to claim victory.

Oxford Utd: Buchel, Baldock, Dunkley, Mullins, Skarz, MacDonald, Sercombe, Lundstram, Roofe, Hylton, Taylor.

Unused subs: Slocombe, Cundy, Gayle, Rose, Ruffels, George, Hoban.

Cambridge Utd: Dunn, Sesay, Roberts, Legge, Demetriou (Simpson 83), Donaldson, Berry, Newton (J Hughes 73), Dunk, Corr, Gaffney (Slew 58).

Unused subs: Beasant, Taylor, Coulson, Morrissey.

Referee: Keith Hill (Hertfordshire).

Attendance: 6,958 (568 visitors).