A DEPLETED Oxford United produced a gutsy display to hold Sky Bet League One leaders Peterborough United at the Kassam Stadium.

The U’s lost Elliot Lee and Sam Long to injuries either side of the break, but showed real character to keep their in-form opponents at bay.

Siriki Dembele, who scored in Peterborough’s two victories over United earlier in the season, came closest to breaking the deadlock when he rounded Jack Stevens and hit the outside of the post just after the hour mark.

The U’s had plenty of possession of their own, with Matty Taylor and Brandon Barker going close, and gave a good account of themselves.

They do, however, drop to tenth in League One as their winless run extends to five matches.

With Sam Winnall and James Henry out through injury, Karl Robinson had a smaller pool of players to pick from and the U’s head coach only made one change.

Mide Shodipo dropped to the bench after getting a knock at MK Dons on Saturday, so Mark Sykes got his chance on the left wing as United reverted to 4-3-3.

Peterborough were without influential midfielder Jack Taylor, but started the game with the confidence of a side who had won their previous six matches.

United would not let their opponents settle, though, and forced the first clear opportunity after 14 minutes.

Elliot Lee found Sykes on the right and the Irishman darted into the penalty area, before firing in a low cross that a combination of Matty Taylor and Posh centre back Frankie Kent could only divert into the hands of Christy Pym.

The U’s aggression was characterised by Sykes and Brannagan throwing themselves into quickfire blocks by the dugouts, but Peterborough looked capable of playing through the press.

They almost had a spectacular opener after 26 minutes, with the division’s top-scorer Jonson Clarke-Harris forcing Jack Stevens into a save down to his left from an overhead kick.

Peterborough’s star man was ably assisted by Sam Szmodics and Dembele, with the latter beating Long on the left, only for Stevens to smother his effort from the byline.

United had learnt before kick-off that Henry could miss the next month with a hamstring injury and there was concern for another midfielder seven minutes before the break.

Lee went down holding his left knee and was unable to continue, with Anthony Forde replacing the Luton Town loanee and Sykes moving into midfield.

The second half began in a similar vein to the first, with United enjoying plenty of possession and Peterborough looking dangerous on the counter.

Long went down clutching his hamstring after he was outpaced by Dembele 12 minutes after the break, who cut back for Clarke-Harris to shoot into the car park.

United’s right back could not continue and was replaced by Hanson as the hosts’ injury concerns worsened.

Dembele threatened again in the 62nd minute as he latched onto a beautiful through ball and touched the ball past Stevens, but he could only hit the outside of the post from a tight angle.

The U’s were depleted, but they were next to force a succession of chances in the next ten minutes.

Taylor’s powerful effort from just inside the box forced Pym into a good stop down to his left moments later, before Ruffels sent a skidding shot past the far post.

The best opening of all came when Barker skipped away from Beevers on halfway, but after cutting into the box his deflected effort flew into the grateful arms of the visiting keeper.

Alex Gorrin and Elliott Moore received quickfire bookings for handball and a trip respectively, before Shodipo and Dan Agyei replaced Barker and Taylor.

Clarke-Harris flicked towards goal in stoppage-time, forcing Stevens to parry, as United kept a valuable clean sheet.

Oxford United (4-3-3): Stevens, Long (Hanson 58), Moore, Atkinson, Ruffels, Lee (Forde 38), Gorrin, Brannagan, Barker (Shodipo 83), Taylor (Agyei 83), Sykes.

Unused subs: Eastwood, Grayson, Kelly.

Booked: Gorrin, Moore.

Peterborough United (4-2-3-1): Pym, Thompson, Kent, Beevers, Butler, Brown (Reed 75), Hamilton, Ward, Szmodics (Eisa 90+4), Dembele, Clarke-Harris.

Unused subs: Gyollai, Burrows, Jones, Kanu, Mason.

Booked: None.

Referee: Alan Young (Bedfordshire).