OXFORD United failed to get back-to-back home wins in the league for the first time this season after being held to a draw against Sky Bet League One strugglers Forest Green Rovers.

James Henry ensured the U’s had a lead at the break when he rounded the goalkeeper and had the finish to match, albeit with a deflection off a Forest Green man.

On the hour mark, Jamille Matt equalised for Forest Green when he got above Sam Long to head in at the back post.

Karl Robinson made five changes to the side which won at Woking in the Emirates FA Cup, as two players dropped out with fitness concerns.

Elliott Moore picked up a knock to his ankle, while Robinson said Marcus McGuane looked fatigued following the amount of games he’s played this season.

Long returned from the hamstring complaint which has sidelined him for the last three weeks, as he replaced Moore.

Simon Eastwood, Ciaron Brown, Marcus Browne and Henry also returned to the starting line-up, with Ed McGinty, Steve Seddon and Tyler Goodrham joining McGuane on the bench.

Injuries meanwhile meant Forest Green could only name five substitutes on their bench.

United came out the traps quickly and had a couple of chances from a succession of early corners.

Henry saw an effort saved by Luke McGee after a quick counter-attack, with Long then seeing a header cleared off the line from a corner.

Lewis Bate whistled a shot over the bar from 25 yards, before Forest Green threatened for the first time when Josh March poked an effort at Eastwood after finding himself through on goal.

The U’s took the lead just before the 20-minute mark after a powerful driving run from Djavan Anderson.

The ball made its way to Henry, who rounded McGee and poked a shot goalwards.

The shot took a nick off Harry Boyes, but the goal was given to Henry.

Goodrham then replaced Bodin, who went off with an injury after going down off the ball, inside the centre circle.

Boyes then brought a save out of Eastwood, with a stinging volley from the left of the penalty area.

Brown toe-poked an effort at goal after being released in the box, but McGee was able to fist the ball away.

Goodrham sent a 25-yard shot flying over the bar just after the half-hour mark, before McGee was again called into action as the game ticked towards half-time.

Browne hit a shot at the goalkeeper from 20 yards, with McGee only able to palm the ball into the path of Goodrham, but McGee recovered well to deny the young United forward.

In first half stoppage time, Eastwood was again on hand to produce a reaction save from point-blank range after Connor Wickham directed an effort goalwards.

United were furious on the cusp of half-time when Henry was denied a penalty after having his shirt pulled in the box, but took a 1-0 lead into the break.

The second half began with a slower tempo, but 11 minutes in, Goodrham brought a save out of McGee with a low effort from the edge of the area.

Matty Taylor then hit a dipping, left-footed volley over the bar from outside the penalty box

The away side then went straight down the other end when Matt, on as a first half substitute, stooped to head home at the back post from a right-wing cross.

Five minutes later, the U’s wasted an opportunity to cause damage from a counter-attack.

Cameron Brannagan pounced on a loose ball, and charged forward, before cutting the Forest Green backline with a ball through to Taylor.

The striker however hit his effort low at McGee, who was able to produce a comfortable stop.

Eastwood continued to be the main man for United, making himself big to thwart Corey O’Keeffe inside the penalty area.

Forest Green continued to press for a winner, and almost grabbed a second goal with 11 minutes to go when Matt deftly touched a cross from the left, but the ball spun past the back post.

In 10 minutes of stoppage time, Gatlin O’Donkor headed over from close range after another strong run down the right channel from Anderson.

The final sight on goal came when Brown ran into space and fizzed a shot wide from 30 yards.

Oxford United (4-2-3-1): Eastwood; Anderson, Long, Findlay (Seddon 78), Brown; Brannagan, Bate; Henry (McGuane 67), Browne, Bodin (Goodrham 23); Taylor (O’Donkor 78).

Unused subs: McGinty, Mousinho, Gorrin.

Booked: Long.

Forest Green Rovers (3-4-1-2): McGee; Bernard, Casey, Cargill (Marques 50); O’Keeffe, Bunker, Peart-Harris, Boyes; McAllister (Matt 45+7); March, Wickham.

Unused subs: Thomas, Jones, Robertson.

Booked: Bernard, March, Matt, Peart-Harris, Casey, Marques.

Referee: Simon Mather (Greater Manchester)

Attendance: 7,813 (444 visitors)