OXFORD United slipped to their first defeat in pre-season as Hampton & Richmond Borough fought back from conceding an early goal to claim a 2-1 victory.

Dejon Noel-Williams headed the visitors into a third-minute lead and might have doubled the advantage.

But Zack Joseph equalised midway through the first half and the Vanarama National League South side grabbed the winner with a stylish header from Chris Dickson.

It completed United’s double-header, having beaten Oxford City 5-1 earlier in the afternoon.

The starting line-up at Beveree included Michael Doughty, on trial after leaving Peterborough United in May.

The visitors got off to a fast start, opening the scoring in the third minute.

James Henry stood a cross up to the back post, which was attacked by Noel-Williams, who buried a header from six yards.

The striker had a glorious chance to double his haul for the afternoon when he sprung the offside trap on 20 minutes.

But he seemed to have too much time to think about his options and ended up dribbling into Hampton goalkeeper Tom Lovelock.

The Beavers then stirred themselves and pushed United on to the back foot.

They should have equalised when Dickson brushed past Rob Dickie on 21 minutes. His shot was parried by Scott Shearer into the path of Joseph, who blasted wide under pressure from John Mousinho.

It was only a brief reprieve, though, as two minutes later Joseph threaded a bouncing ball in between Shearer and his near post.

The visitors did not get back on top again until late in the half.

Noel-Williams was unable to keep a header down from a wicked delivery by Dickie, before the best moment of quality in the game.

Samir Carruthers split the Hampton defence with a perfect pass to meet Malachi Napa’s run, but the winger’s shot was superbly tipped over by Lovelock.

The second half took time to catch light, but Hampton took the lead just before the hour mark.

There was a flash of real class when James Hammond’s cross was met by Dickson, who steered a superb header into the far corner past Shearer’s despairing dive.

United’s chances to get back in the game came at a premium.

With 15 minutes left Dickie forced an excellent save with a header from a corner. The rebound fell to Canice Carroll, who could not convert and then committed a foul just before James Henry fired into the net.

Within moments it should have been 3-1, when Shearer’s careless pass went to the hosts, but substitute Daniel Uchechi prodded a shot wide.

The visitors then made wholesale changes for the closing stages, fielding a young side – some of whom had featured against City earlier in the afternoon.

United’s pre-season continues at Aldershot Town on Tuesday night.

Utd: Shearer, McMahon, Mousinho, Dickie, Garbutt, Carruthers, Carroll, Henry, Napa, Doughty, Noel-Williams.

Subs: Clayton, Berry-Hargreaves, Jones, Johnson, Hopkins, Cowan, Walter, Ochieng, Taverner, Stevens.

Hampton & Richmond Boro: Lovelock, Miller-Rodney, Mavila, Urquhart, Bray, Wellard, Lucien, Maclaren, Joseph, Dickson, Roberts.

Subs: Hammond, Hippolyte-Patrick, Burns, Sprague, Parish, Kamara, Corcoran, Jelley, Deakin, Gorganas, Uchechi.

Attendance: 266.