March 7, 2020: Shrewsbury Town 2, Oxford United 3

JOSH Ruffels' late winner completed a brilliant comeback in what turned out to be Oxford United’s final game before coronavirus paused the season, writes JACK SALE.

The U's winning run was under serious threat after 34 minutes as hosts Shrewsbury Town went 2-0 up.

But goals from Marcus Browne, Dan Agyei and Ruffels secured United's fifth straight victory, lifting them up to third in Sky Bet League One.

Josh Ruffels: Oxford United never stopped believing at Shrewsbury

Karl Robinson’s side started slowly and went behind after 12 minutes.

A long ball caused consternation in the U’s backline and Shrewsbury striker Daniel Udoh stole in and finished past Simon Eastwood.

The hosts doubled their lead through Callum Lang, who cut inside from the right and drilled a low shot inside the near post with 34 minutes played.

United needed a boost and got it less than 60 seconds later.

Browne nicked the ball past Shrewsbury’s Josh Vela, who brought him down and received his second yellow card.

With Shrewsbury down to ten men, the pattern of the game changed.

United piled on the pressure and pulled a goal back with a bit of brilliance from Browne in first-half stoppage time.

The Middlesbrough loanee latched onto Cameron Brannagan’s pass over the top and he slid the ball past goalkeeper Max O'Leary.

United almost levelled straight after the break, when Elliott Moore’s header was saved and a combination of Matty Taylor and Sam Long could not scramble home the rebound.

Read also: Looking back at Oxford United's Milk Cup semi-final first leg at Aston Villa

Robinson threw on Agyei for Alex Gorrin and the impact was almost instant.

The substitute created space for himself on the right of the box, before curling a beautiful left-footed shot into the top corner - giving O’Leary in the Shrewsbury goal no chance.

United pushed for a winner and it finally came two minutes from time.

Browne’s free kick wide on the right was inviting and Ruffels arrived to head into the far corner, sparking wild celebrations in the away end behind the goal.

United: Eastwood, Long, Dickie, Moore, Ruffels, Gorrin (Agyei 57), Brannagan, Browne, Henry, Taylor (Mackie 90+1), Holland (Sykes 40).

Attendance: 6,474 (928 visitors)