OXFORD United climbed out of the Sky Bet League One relegation zone after holding in-form Blackpool.

The hosts shaded a tight first half where CJ Hamilton went closest to scoring, as his snapshot from range came back off the post.

The winger hit the woodwork again just after the hour mark, but John Mousinho almost stole the points in stoppage time as his header was tipped onto the post by keeper Chris Maxwell.

While United could not snatch victory, they will be delighted with a point that saw them rise to 19th after a testing afternoon.

Karl Robinson reverted to the same line-up that began last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Hull City, with Marcus McGuane and Elliott Moore passing late fitness tests to play.

Sean Clare and Mark Sykes were the two missing from the 18, with Jamie Hanson and Rob Hall making the bench.

Robinson had spoken in the week about the pace of Blackpool’s front line and the hosts looked to find wingers Sullay Kaikai and Hamilton from the start.

The duo combined for the first half-chance of the contest, with the latter scuffing wide after his teammate beat Sam Long down the left.

The early stages were fairly even and United had their best opportunity of the first period 18 minutes in, after Josh Ruffels intercepted to feed Taylor in the centre of the park.

He sprayed the ball out to James Henry to whip in a bouncing cross, but Marcus McGuane could only send the half-volley over the bar from 15 yards.

Liam Kelly was booked for a late challenge on ex-U’s man Ben Woodburn down the left as Blackpool began to get on top.

Hamilton beat Ruffels to cut back for Kaikai seven minutes before the break, but Blackpool’s No 10 slipped as he was about to pull the trigger.

The other winger then had the best chance of the half as he caught Jack Stevens by surprise with an early shot 25 yards out, only for the ball to strike the woodwork.

United would have been grateful to reach the break level, especially when Husband beat Stevens to the ball on the edge of the box – the U’s keeper was relieved to see the ball go behind for a goal kick.

The U’s defence suffered a different kind of setback early in the second half, when Rob Atkinson took a knock in a challenge with Gary Madine and was replaced by John Mousinho.

United’s back line was kept busy as Blackpool picked up where they left off, Long nicking in with a vital interception to stop Madine getting a shot away.

Dan Agyei and Hanson replaced Jordan Obita and Kelly on the hour as Robinson tried to change the momentum.

But the hosts continued to pour forward and Hamilton struck the woodwork for a second time, his deflected shot striking the crossbar with Stevens beaten.

Agyei saw an acrobatic effort blocked moments later, but it was a rare chance for United as Blackpool turned the screw.

With 12 minutes left they made a triple substitution, as Jerry Yates, Matty Virtue and Dan Kemp replaced Kaikai, Madine and Grant Ward.

Mide Shodipo and Hall came on for McGuane and Henry as Robinson used his final two changes, with both immediately involved.

Some neat interplay down the left saw Hall release his teammate, but the QPR loanee shot straight at Maxwell after cutting onto his right foot.

Mousinho then almost secured an unlikely win late on, only to be denied by Maxwell.

Blackpool (4-3-3): Maxwell, Gabriel, Ekpiteta, Gretarsson, Husband, Hamilton, Dougall, Ward (Virtue 78), Woodburn (Anderson 70), Hamilton, Madine (Yates 78), Kaikai (Kemp 78).

Unused subs: Sims, Turton, Garbutt.

Booked: Oxford United (4-3-3): Stevens, Long, Moore, Atkinson (Mousinho 52), Ruffels, McGuane (Shodipo 81), Gorrin, Kelly (Hanson 59), Henry (Hall 81), Taylor, Obita (Agyei 59).

Unused subs: Eastwood, Forde.

Booked: Kelly.

Referee: Martin Coy (Durham)