CAMERON Brannagan provided the highlight with a spectacular finish as Oxford United ended pre-season with a draw at Solihull Moors.

The midfielder picked out the top corner from more than 20 yards to haul the visitors level nine minutes before the break.

It cancelled out Mitch Hancox’s opener for the home side, who had enjoyed the best of the early exchanges.

Both sides had chances to go on and win the game in a second half disjointed by substitutions, but just as in their meeting three years ago it finished 1-1.

Rob Hall made a welcome return on the United bench, but there was no place for Gavin Whyte amid reports of an approach from Cardiff City.

Solihull, second in last season’s National League, started strongly.

Simon Eastwood saved Hancox’s 20-yard effort in the second minute, while Darren Carter quickly fired a free-kick over the crossbar.

In a lively opening, United responded and Ryan Boot had to make a smart block when Jamie Mackie stuck out a leg to divert James Henry’s effort on target.

Bizarrely, Moors grabbed the opener from an almost identical chance on 16 minutes.

The visitors had already looked vulnerable under the high ball and Danny Wright won an aerial challenge to turn the ball on to Lee Vaughan. His cross/shot fell perfectly for Hancox, who turned it into the net from eight yards.

United rallied well, Napa forcing Boot into a save after sharp build-up play involving Henry and Alex Gorrin.

Another long ball caused problems at the other end on the half-hour mark, but McCallum could not get a meaningful touch on Danny Wright’s knock-down.

United made the most of the reprieve.

Cameron Brannagan, who minutes earlier had stung Boot’s palms from 25 yards, took aim again outside the box and this time curled a beauty into the far corner.

The game was being played with plenty of edge, which boiled over just before half-time following a foul by Tariqe Fosu.

It sparked a pushing session between most of the 22 players, after which referee Rob Lewis booked Fosu and Moors skipper Kyle Storer.

Fosu was involved in United’s best moments early in the second half.

The summer signing’s quick turn took him away from two challenges to launch an attack which ended with Boot saving Jamie Mackie’s flick from Cadden’s low cross.

Josh Ruffels then narrowly failed to get a touch six yards out after Fosu had twisted and turned into a crossing position in the box.

The 65-minute mark brought changes from the bench, which led to Napa playing up front on his own.

Within seconds his extra pace saw him charge down Boot’s clearance outside the box. It fell to Fosu, whose cross picked out James Henry, but the midfielder opted to take a touch and the chance vanished.

The final 20 minutes turned into a scrappy affair, broken up by changes from both benches.

Liam Daly headed a corner into the side netting, while substitute Jordan Murphy blazed over when he should have done better from 15 yards.

Fosu came closest to hitting a winner for United, but Boot got down well to save at his near post four minutes from time.

Solihull (3-5-2): Boot, Daly, Gudger, Howe (Williams 63), Vaughan (Carline 76), Carter, Storer (Murphy 69), Osborne (Hawkridge 63), Hancox, Wright (Blissett 69), McCallum (Stenson 69).

Unused subs: Bushaj, Skudder.

Oxford Utd (4-2-3-1): Eastwood, Cadden, Dickie (Long 55), Mousinho, Ruffels, Gorrin (Hall 65), Brannagan, Napa (Berkoe 89), Henry (McMahon 79), Fosu (Lofthouse 89), Mackie (Sykes 65).

Unused subs: Stevens, McCreadie, Jones.

Referee: Rob Lewis (Shropshire).

Attendance: 709.