Swindon Town 1 (Curran 90+2), Oxford United 2 (Barker 3, Agyei 82)

The U’s clinched only their fourth victory at the County Ground to avenge their defeat by the same scoreline in the reverse fixture in November.

Brandon Barker’s deflected effort put United ahead inside three minutes, but the visitors needed Jack Stevens to save his second penalty in two games 19 minutes from time as he thwarted Brett Pitman.

Dan Agyei doubled the advantage within 30 seconds of coming on, although Taylor Curran’s stoppage-time finish ensured a nervy final few minutes.

But the U’s held on for their first win in six, as they cut the gap to the Sky Bet League One play-offs to just two points - while Swindon end the evening in the relegation zone.

Karl Robinson had the same squad to pick from as Saturday, although Jamie Hanson was not fit enough to start and dropped to the bench.

That saw Anthony Forde move to right back, with Mark Sykes taking his position further up the flank.

Oxford boy Matty Taylor was restored to the starting line-up in place of Dan Agyei, while Mide Shodipo dropped out for Barker – and the Rangers loanee made an instant impact.

Less than three minutes had been played when the 24-year-old received possession on the left wing and he shaped to cross, before cutting inside.

Barker took a couple of touches and shot low from 25 yards, with Connal Trueman a spectator as the ball nestled in the far corner.

The absence of fans meant the contest lacked a derby atmosphere, but Jordan Lyden did his best to add an extra edge when he flew in on Elliott Moore early on.

Referee Charles Breakspear booked the Swindon midfielder and the U’s continued to boss the first half an hour, with Scott Twine’s 45-yard sighter – which flew just wide - the hosts’ only shot of note.

Cameron Brannagan responded by flashing a fierce drive past the far post, before an unmarked Moore headed United’s first corner straight at Trueman after 26 minutes.

Barker showed his threat again as he beat Conroy on the defender’s outside moments later, with Tom Broadbent sliding in to prevent Sykes’ side-footed effort troubling the goalkeeper.

The Irishman was the centre of attention for a different reason in the 30th minute, as he went in late on Lyden to send the Australian rolling around.

Both sets of players piled in and Jordan Thompson was booked for his part in the scuffles, with Breakspear also yellow-carding Sykes for the tackle.

United lost some momentum with the foul and Jordan Garrick should have done better when he scuffed a half-volley at Stevens in stoppage-time, before Trueman had to shovel the ball behind to stop Sykes’ cross sneaking in at the near post.

Anthony Grant replaced Lyden at the break as Swindon looked to find a way back into the game, with the U’s having to clear a cross-shot from the dangerous Garrick moments after the restart.

Dion Conroy was next in the book as he slid in late on Sykes when the Irishman raced clear, before Atkinson headed Forde’s corner over from inside the six-yard box.

It was a difficult chance and United again came inches away from a second goal 13 minutes into the half.

Taylor collected Moore’s diagonal on the edge of the box, held off two defenders and beat Trueman with the shot – only for the ball to slide inches past the post.

United had a shaky moment when Grant sent a long-range effort wide with Stevens off his line, but Barker continued to give right back Paul Caddis a torrid time and forced a good save from the Swindon goalkeeper at his near post just after the hour mark.

The visitors needed the breathing space of a second goal and Taylor skied high and wide from Ruffels’ flick, but their goalkeeper came  to their rescue 19 minutes from time.

United let the ball bobble around on the edge of the area and Grant got the wrong side of Atkinson, who brought his man down.

Pitman stepped up and sent an effort to Stevens’ left, but the stopper hauled himself across to parry for the second time in four days.

Robinson made a raft of substitutions to see the game out, with Hanson, Shodipo and Leon Chambers-Parillon replacing Liam Kelly, Sykes and Barker.

The U’s head coach also sent on Agyei for Taylor and the forward made a difference within seconds.

He received the ball in space for his first touch of the game and drove forward into the box, before planting a fierce effort into the far corner.

Curran bundled home from close range late on, but the U’s held on to spark scenes of jubilation at the final whistle.

Swindon Town (4-2-3-1): Trueman, Caddis, Conroy (Curran 87), Broadbent (Odimayo 87), Thompson, Palmer (Hope 64), Lyden (A Grant 46), Garrick, Twine, Payne, Pitman.

Unused subs: Matthews, Iandolo, J Grant.

Booked: Lyden, Thompson, Conroy.

Oxford United (4-3-3): Stevens, Forde, Moore, Atkinson, Ruffels, Kelly (Hanson 72), Gorrin, Brannagan, Sykes (Shodipo 72), Taylor (Agyei 81), Barker (Chambers-Parillon 81).

Unused subs: Eastwood, Grayson, Hall.

Booked: Sykes, Forde, Agyei.

Referee: Charles Breakspear (Surrey).