Oxford United goalkeeper Simon Eastwood on Forest Green Rovers draw

United welcomed Sky Bet League One’s bottom side to the Kassam Stadium, but had to settle for a draw.

After taking a 1-0 lead into the break, the U’s dropped off in the second half, allowing Forest Green to get back into the game.

United though had Eastwood to thank, that they did get a point after he produced top saves to deny Josh March, Harry Boyes and Connor Wickham.

The save from former Crystal Palace and Sunderland striker Wickham, in first half stoppage time, was the pick of the bunch.

Eastwood produced an incredible reflex stop from point-blank range after Wickham directed an effort goalwards from six yards out.

Simon Eastwood produces a stunning reflex save to deny Connor Wickham. Picture: Steve Edmunds

“I was happy with that one, it’s one of my better ones,” said Eastwood.

“It came over and it’s just a reaction as a goalkeeper.

“They’re the ones I do like the best, when you’ve not got much time to think and you make yourself as big as you can to try and claw it out.

“I’m happy with the save but obviously disappointed with the result, but judging off the second half performance, it’s probably a fair result.

“I think they could’ve nicked it, it was close but we didn’t play well in the second half.

“We struggled to get anything together and really trouble their keeper too much.”

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The Forest Green equaliser saw Jamille Matt stoop in at the back post to head in a Corey O’Keeffe cross, after a quick counter-attack down the right-hand side.

Eastwood said: “In the second half, they looked threatening and kept counter-attacking us.

“If you commit too many bodies forward, you’re going to get countered, so it’s a difficult goal to concede but all in all a fair result.

“It’s disappointing when you’re the home team in mid-table playing bottom of the league, we wanted the three points and everyone expected us to get it.”

Eastwood was the target of three fouls as he looked to launch United on the attack after claiming a cross or getting his hands on a shot.

Oliver Casey, Myles Peart-Harris and Matt were all booked for the offences, yet Eastwood acknowledged it’s something opposition players will do, to stop the U’s from countering up the pitch quickly.

He said: “I think the most I’ve ever had in a game was one, I’ve never ever had three.

“The manager talks about when I get the ball, look to deliver it out early and quick.

“They might’ve seen me play before and seen that’s something I like, and try to do.

“It’s a standard yellow card but it does break your momentum.

“They’re fighting for their lives and need the points – if it was us, we’d do exactly the same.

“If it’s something they’ve looked at, to disrupt our play, it’s fair enough and part of the game.”

Asked whether it was frustrating to be called upon so much, against the league’s bottom side, Eastwood said: “Before the game, you wouldn’t expect it as much.

“We’ve had some bigger teams come here and not cause as many problems, but anybody can beat anybody in this league.

“There’s no easy result, you can play at home to bottom of the league and it’s not a guaranteed three points.”