OXFORD United conceded a last gasp goal to suffer defeat in their final away game of 2023.

Kieron Bowie headed Northampton Town into the lead five minutes into the second half, however a Cameron Brannagan penalty just after the hour mark made things level again.

Tyreece Simpson, on as a substitute, stole the three points for the Cobblers though, heading in from a free kick seven minutes into stoppage time.

Des Buckingham named a completely unchanged starting line-up and bench from those which secured him his first league win, at home to Burton Albion, last time out.

The first sight of goal for either side came with eight minutes on the clock, when a good move from the hosts saw Sam Hoskins burst through a gap in the U’s defence, however his effort was a tame one and easily held by James Beadle.

Ciaron Brown then played the ball off Mitch Pinnock, with the rebound falling at the feet of Hoskins, who blazed over from 25 yards.

United’s first opportunity came just before quarter of an hour had been played, with Mark Harris doing well to find Josh Murphy during a swift counter-attack.

The winger closed in on goal, however his strike was denied by the left boot of Max Thompson.

Pinnock’s driven cross from the left found Hoskins free in the middle of the penalty area, yet he volleyed high over Beadle’s crossbar.

A corner from Brannagan was hung up towards the back post, where Elliott Moore nodded the ball down for Brown, who hooked over from inside the six-yard box.

The teams then exchanged chances at both ends within sixty seconds.

Firstly, the impressive Pinnock dummied his way past Joe Bennett, but shot straight at Beadle, before Ruben Rodrigues’ dangerous cross-shot drifted past the far post.

Murphy was a constant outlet for United during the first half, and he teed up Stan Mills on the edge of the penalty box just before the half hour mark, however the Everton loanee’s low drive was straight at Thompson.

With six minutes to go until the half-time break, Brown had the ball stolen from him deep in U’s territory, but the Cobblers failed to take advantage of the opportunity provided to them.

Buckingham made a change at the break, as Tyler Goodrham replaced Murphy in a straight swap down United’s left-hand side.

It was the hosts who came out stronger in the second period though, with Bowie heading against the post after a brilliant left-wing cross from Hoskins.

Within a minute though, the Fulham loanee headed the Cobblers in front following a cross hung in from the right-hand side by Pinnock.

Brannagan blazed over from 25 yards, as the U’s chased an immediate response, however Marcus McGuane had to be alert at the other end when he brilliantly tracked back and took the ball from Pinnock during a dangerous counter-attack.

A clever move from the hosts resulted in Marc Leonard sliding a right-footed volley wide of the far post, yet a trip on Mills inside the box handed United a chance to grab an equaliser.

Brannagan stepped up, and the spot kick never really looked in doubt, as the U’s midfielder slammed the ball down the middle.

Buckingham’s second substitution saw him bring on James Henry for Mills with 20 minutes to go, while Gatlin O’Donkor came on for Harris 10 minutes later.

Between those changes being made, Moore recovered well to take the ball off Bowie in the box, and Brannagan drifted a shot comfortably wide from 25 yards.

Leonard looked to lob Beadle from close to the halfway line, but his effort lacked the sufficient power in the closing stages.

Simpson stole the show though, heading in a free kick swung in from the right-hand side seven minutes into stoppage time.

Northampton Town (4-2-3-1): Thompson; McGowan, Sherring, Willis (Guthrie 67), Brough (Odimayo 68); McWilliams, Sowerby (Hondermarck 90); Pinnock, Leonard, Hoskins (Simpson 90); Bowie (Hylton 90).

Unused subs: Dadge, Haynes.

Booked: Brough, Simpson.

Oxford United (4-3-3): Beadle; Stevens, Moore, Brown, Bennett; Rodrigues (Smyth 90+1), McGuane, Brannagan; Mills (Henry 70), Harris (O’Donkor 80), Murphy (Goodrham 46).

Unused subs: Eastwood, Thorniley, McEachran.

Booked: Brown.

Referee: Craig Hicks (Surrey).

Attendance: 7,581 (1,467 away).