OXFORD United held the league leaders in Liam Manning’s first home match in charge of the club.

After draws on the road against Morecambe and Peterborough United, Manning made it three on the trot with a point against Sheffield Wednesday.

Barry Bannan opened the scoring with a sublime effort in the first half, but a Cameron Brannagan penalty ensured the points were shared at the Kassam Stadium.

United though are now winless in 13 games.

Manning named an unchanged side to the one which earned a goalless draw at Peterborough, with injuries meaning the bench also remained the same.

The last time the U’s named an unchanged side was back in September when the team which started the home defeat to Wycombe Wanderers remained in place for the win at Exeter City.

Wednesday meanwhile were without 14-goal Michael Smith up front.

United survived an early nervous spell at the back, but it was still the away side who started the brighter.

Lee Gregory drew a comfortable save out of Simon Eastwood with a shot from range after six minutes, before Marvin Johnson fizzed an effort across goal from outside the penalty area but it was once again a simple hold for Eastwood.

Just after the quarter of an hour mark, Reece James let fly from distance and this time, Eastwood had to claim the ball at the second attempt.

United’s first sights of goal came with 20 minutes on the clock, when an Elliott Moore header was blocked by Owls goalkeeper David Stockdale, before Sam Long’s clawed effort at the back post was hit wide.

With 10 minutes to go until half-time, Bannan opened the scoring with a moment of magic.

The Owls captain collected the ball on the right-hand side and drifted infield, before unleashing a curling, left-footed effort beyond Eastwood and into the far post.

Moments later, Bannan and Liam Palmer had to be separated by their own teammates after Akin Famewo was booked for a foul on Marcus Browne.

Brannagan took the free kick and aimed for the far post, but his effort was well held by Stockdale.

Manning made a change at half-time as Gatlin O’Donkor replaced Yanic Wildschut.

The change saw O’Donkor go up front, with Josh Murphy on the left and Kyle Joseph on the right.

Wednesday made a bright start to the second half, with a stinging Mallik Wilks effort palmed behind for a corner by Eastwood, before the U’s keeper tipped behind a Wilks header.

From that corner, Dennis Adeniran headed at Eastwood from point-blank range.

O’Donkor made himself a presence at the other end though, with a superb Aden Flint block denying him a tap-in from close range, after a ball across the box from Joseph.

Just before the hour mark, Ciaron Brown slammed an effort on goal which Flint blocked behind for a corner.

The set piece was played short to Murphy, who fired comfortably over from the corner of the penalty box.

Gregory then hit an effort wide when afforded space in the centre of the box.

With 20 minutes to go, the U’s found a route into the game when Brannagan slammed home a spot kick awarded after a foul on Browne.

United kept the pressure up, with Browne whipping a sensational right-wing free kick onto the head of Moore, whose header was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Stockdale.

Moore took a bang to the head though in the aftermath of his chance and was replaced by Stephan Negru, on for his U’s debut.

Brandon Fleming then replaced Murphy as the U’s switched to three at the back, with Fleming and Long at wing back.

Fleming was involved instantly, barging down the left and having a cross claimed by Stockdale before it could reach the unmarked O’Donkor.

Browne was then afforded space 25 yards out but his effort was blazed well off target.

Stockdale was then on hand to thwart O’Donkor at the striker’s feet after the teenager had squeezed a way through the Owls backline.

Both sides searched for a winner, knowing it would boost their odds at either end of the table, but were unable to find one.

Oxford United (4-2-3-1): Eastwood; Long, Moore (Negru 77), Findlay, Brown; McGuane, Brannagan; Murphy (Fleming 78), Browne (Smyth 90+1), Wildschut (O’Donkor 46); Joseph.

Unused subs: McGinty, Goodrham, Smith.

Booked: McGuane, O’Donkor.

Sheffield Wednesday (3-5-2): Stockdale; Famewo, Flint, James; Palmer, Adeniran (Iorfa 84), Vaulks, Bannan, Johnson; Wilks (Dele-Bashiru 72), Gregory.

Unused subs: Dawson, Brown, Bakinson, Shipston, Durrant.

Booked: Vaulks, Famewo.

Referee: Rebecca Welch (Tyne and Wear)

Attendance: 10,238 (1,482 visitors)