OXFORD United’s strong run came to an end as they let an early lead slip to lose at AFC Wimbledon.

Rob Hall’s 25-yard effort put the away side in front, but it proved to be the high-point of the afternoon for the 800 travelling fans.

The unlucky Simon Eastwood inadvertently scored the equaliser when Dean Parrett’s thunderbolt ricocheted off the crossbar and into the net via the goalkeeper’s back.

Sean Kelly was then allowed a free header to put Wimbledon in front and from then on United needed Eastwood on top form to keep them in the game.

He denied Dom Poleon and Lyle Taylor before half-time and Ben Reeves in the second half.

It ensured United retained hope of getting something from the game until the final seconds, but they were unable to make late pressure count as they lost for only the second time in 14 outings.

U’s boss Michael Appleton named the same XI which started the win at Rotherham United a week ago, so Kane Hemmings had to make do with a place on the bench despite his hat-trick on Tuesday.

A minute’s applause preceded the game in tribute to Graham Taylor, who died on Thursday.

Another former England manager, Roy Hodgson, watched on from the directors’ box, where he sat with U’s board members.

Hodgson saw the visitors get away to a dream start, opening the scoring in the seventh minute with a 25-yard effort from Hall.

The advantage was brief, though, as the hosts levelled through a stroke of good fortune.

Parrett ripped a long-range shot which smacked the crossbar and rebounded into the net via Eastwood’s back.

The game was in the balance, with United attempting to move the ball where possible on the sticky playing surface.

Hall threatened to repeat his early strike with one mazy run across the penalty area, but this time his shot hit a defender and looped up for goalkeeper James Shea to gather.

Going forward, Wimbledon were as much of a handful as expected.

United knew exactly what was coming, so they will have been fuming with the way they fell behind just before the half-hour mark.

Curtis Nelson blocked a Lyle Taylor shot for a corner, from which Kelly was left unmarked to head into the net from eight yards.

There followed a spell where United were indebted to Eastwood for keeping them in the game.

First, he dived at the feet of Poleon, who had streaked clear after intercepting Ryan Ledson’s square pass on the halfway line.

Within three minutes the goalkeeper made another smart block, this time to thwart Lyle Taylor from Reeves’s excellent pass.

Poleon fired wide when he sprung the offside trap again and Taylor had another chance to make it 3-1 on the stroke of half-time, only to scoop wide of a relieved Eastwood.

The interval offered respite for United, who emerged for the second half to stabilise the game.

An even contest failed to yield a chance of any description until Ryan Taylor forced Shea into a one-handed save in the 65th minute.

It was the visitors’ first attempt on target since the early goal.

Almost immediately Wimbledon had another chance to extend their lead.

Eastwood again rose to the challenge with a save from Reeves, but United could not believe referee Mark Haywood had allowed play to continue after Elliott had barged over Dunkley in the build-up.

Wimbledon’s inability to kill the game off saw them grow anxious in the closing stages when United attacked.

Hemmings, introduced early in the half, came close to an equaliser but could only flick Marvin Johnson’s cross wide after a terrific surge forward from Nelson.

United were pushing hard right up to the final seconds, when Eastwood even went up for a free-kick.

But Shea came to claim Hall’s inswinging delivery, to ensure Wimbledon took the points.

AFC Wimbledon: Shea, Fuller, Robinson, Charles, Kelly, Bulman, Reeves, Parrett (Egan 81), Poleon, Elliott (Barnett 72), Taylor (Whelpdale 76).

Unused subs: McDonnell, Gallagher, Owens, Robertson.

Oxford Utd: Eastwood, Edwards, Dunkley, Nelson, Johnson, MacDonald (Hemmings 55), Lundstram, Ledson (Sercombe 76), Hall, Maguire, Taylor (Rothwell 89).

Unused subs: Stevens, Raglan, Skarz, Ruffels.

Referee: Mark Haywood (West Yorkshire).

Attendance: 4,808 (800 visitors).