OXFORD United slipped to defeat against Wycombe Wanderers in a game which saw play halted for 45 minutes due to a medical emergency in the crowd.

Cameron Brannagan missed a first half penalty, before Chris Forino was allowed to head home unmarked as the Chairboys took all three points.

Karl Robinson made eight changes to the team that lost to Chelsea Under-21s in the Papa John’s Trophy in midweek, with just Simon Eastwood, Marcus McGuane and Matty Taylor remaining in the side.

The first half itself began with neither side able to get a foothold in the game.

It was the U’s who carved out the first chance of the game with patient play seeing Sam Long played in on the right.

The full back fired an effort which Max Stryjek was equal to, parrying the ball away from danger.

With 12 minutes on the clock, United were handed a clearer route to goal when Marcus Browne chased a loose ball over the top, and was hauled down by Stryjek.

However, the Polish goalkeeper made amends by first getting across to deny penalty maestro Brannagan, and then James Henry from the rebound.

It was in the aftermath of the penalty with Stryjek down receiving treatment, that the officials’ attention was brought to the medical emergency in the stands.

Play was brought to a halt, with both sets of players heading down the tunnel.

After a 45-minute delay while the medical emergency was dealt with, play resumed.

Both sides again struggled to get any flow into the game with Sam Vokes firing high and wide for the visitors.

On 33 minutes, Wycombe did take the lead as Forino was allowed to power in a free header.

A cross from the left found the Wycombe defender, who was afforded too much space by the U’s defence and planted a header beyond Eastwood.

Lewis Wing then hit a shot from 30 yards, but it sailed over Eastwood’s bar.

The final chance of the opening period fell to the U’s.

A clever corner routine saw Henry feed Brannagan, with the midfielder’s venomous effort taking a slight deflection which lifted the ball over the bar.

Both sides failed to find any rhythm in the second half, with United restricted to a Brannagan shot which was blocked, and Henry heading over from a Ciaron Brown throw-in.

At the other end, Joe Jacobson hit a 20-yard free kick straight into the United wall, and Forino headed wide from a Jordan Obita cross.

United sought an equaliser but were mainly restricted to efforts from distance, with Brannagan and Browne firing over.

Oxford United (4-3-3): Eastwood; Long (Goodrham 86), Moore, Findlay, Brown; Brannagan, McGuane, Joseph (Murphy 82); Henry (Bodin 68), Taylor, Browne.

Unused subs: McGinty, Mousinho, Golding, Gorrin.

Booked: Joseph, Henry.

Wycombe Wanderers (4-2-3-1): Stryjek; McCarthy, Forino, Mawson, Jacobson; Gape (Freeman 19), Wing (Grimmer 86); McCleary (Pattenden 86), Mehmeti, Obita; Vokes.

Unused subs: Blunkell, Kaikai, Horgan, De Barr.

Booked: Jacobson, Wing, McCarthy.

Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire)