A QUICKFIRE double from Curtis Nelson and Rob Hall was good enough to see Oxford United finish the season on a high at home to Shrewsbury Town.

Nelson’s thumping finish was followed a minute later by Hall’s close-range effort to put the U’s in charge.

It briefly looked like Shrewsbury would be put to the sword, but the game quickly deteriorated into long scrappy spells.

United rarely looked troubled by a visiting side who failed to muster a shot on target until the 82nd minute, while results elsewhere ensured the Shrews would survive in Sky Bet League One.

Josh Ruffels came close to adding a third late on, but a third straight win was nonetheless secured as Michael Appleton’s men ended up eighth – their highest finish since the 1998/99 season.

An ankle injury ruled out Conor McAleny, as United only named six substitutes in their matchday squad.

Canice Carroll also came out of the side which started the 3-0 win at Millwall, with Hall and Joe Rothwell promoted to the XI.

Shrewsbury, not completely safe from relegation, were almost handed a dream start with Charlie Raglan’s weak backpass in the opening minute, but Nelson slid in to snuff out the chance for Bryn Morris.

United were not helped by the loss of their full backs in the space of a couple of minutes.

First, a very groggy Joe Skarz was forced off after clashing heads with Joe Riley.

Sam Long had only just come on when another change was forced as Christian Ribeiro’s home debut was cut short with what looked like a hamstring injury. Carroll replaced him.

It was not going to plan, but in a flash the U’s were 2-0 up.

Nelson intercepted a loose pass just inside his own half and carried on running forward after playing the ball to Marvin Johnson.

The centre back received the ball and stormed through a gap in the Shrews defence before lashing a shot into the net with all the confidence of an experienced striker.

A minute later United struck again.

Rothwell’s pass found Chris Maguire wide on the left and from his low cross Hall bundled the ball over the line.

United were buoyant and on 23 minutes Maguire tried his luck with a very ambitious left-footed volley from within his own half, which sliced wide.

Oxford Mail:

  • Rob Hall prods home from close range to double United's lead

Aside from a header placed wide by Morris, the game lost its way amid a flurry of careless passes and clumsy ricochets which disrupted the flow.

Simon Eastwood, presented with the supporters’ player of the season award before kick-off, had to be alert on the half-hour mark to race out and smother Stefan Payne after Carroll’s miscue.

The goalkeeper briefly looked to be troubled by an injury, but having got so close to playing every minute this season it was going to take something serious to force him off.

Riley became the third full back to pick up an injury in the first half following a challenge with Maguire which forced the former U’s loanee to be carried off on a stretcher.

The stoppages led to five minutes of additional time, during which Jayson Leutwiler had to tip over a deflected shot from Hall which threatened to dip under the crossbar.

From the resulting corner, Maguire kicked the flag and stayed down, more through embarrassment than anything.

Johnson came close to making it 3-0 shortly after the restart, just missing the far post with a low shot from 18 yards.

It was a rare moment of excitement in a second half which drifted amid a sleepy atmosphere.

Shrewsbury came back into the game, Abu Ogogo and Payne shooting just wide.

At the other end Maguire was clearly keen to add to his 17 goals this season, shooting wide on a couple of occasions when he had teammates calling for a pass.

United’s top scorer received a standing ovation 14 minutes from time when he was substituted. With the Scot out of contract this summer, it could have been his final appearance for United.

The game petered out, but Leutwiler was still needed to make a terrific save to deny Ruffels from close range after great work by Johnson.

Substitute Kane Hemmings was played through by Hall in stoppage-time, but after beating his marker the striker dragged his shot wide.

Oxford Utd (4-4-2): Eastwood, Ribeiro (Carroll 13), Nelson, Raglan, Skarz (Long 11), Hall, Lundstram, Ruffels, Rothwell, Maguire (Hemmings 76), Johnson.

Unused subs: Stevens, Edwards, Dunkley.

Booked: None.

Shrewsbury Tn (4-4-2): Leutwiler, Riley (Smith 37), Sadler, Nsiala, Brown, Whalley, Ogogo, Yates (McAtee 83), Rodman, Morris (Deegan 74), Payne.

Unused subs: Halstead, Ladapo, Roberts.

Booked: Payne.

Referee: Kevin Johnson (Somerset).

Attendance: 9,287 (897 visitors).