OXFORD United's npower League Two season got off to a disappointing start with a 1-0 defeat at Rotherham today.

In a game that saw the Chris Wilder's side have a lot of the ball but not create clear-cut chances, it was the hosts who snatched victory with a goal three minutes after half-time.

Danny Schofield's neat touch saw the ball sit perfectly for Lewis Grabban, and his superb shot with the outside of his foot went into the net with Ryan Clarke rooted to the spot.

James Constable and Deane Smalley came close to an equaliser, but the U's left empty-handed.

Things could, however, have been much different had Michael Duberry not blazed over from eight yards early in the first half after Asa Hall's deft header had come back off the inside of a post.

Oxford keeper Ryan Clarke only had one save of note to make in the entire game, but Grabban's moment of magic proved the difference.

Rotherham: Logan, Tonge, Cresswell, Brown, Newey, Schofield (Pringle 84), Taylor, Harrison, Grabban, Le Fondre, Holroyd (Evans 71). Subs not used: Warrington, Marshall, Raynes.

Oxford Utd: Clarke, Batt, Duberry, Wright, Tonkin (Pittman 68), Whing, Hall (Leven 75), Payne (Potter 57), Davis, Smalley, Constable. Subs not used: Brown, Heslop.

Referee: Dean Mohareb (Cheshire).