OXFORD United survived a late comeback to start pre-season with a 3-2 win at Oxford City.

Simon Eastwood was brought into action sooner than he would’ve liked, sweeping up Cameron Brannagan’s backpass on two minutes, however the U’s soon settled with Michael Elechi and Joel Cooper in particular looking dangerous.

The latter showed some bright moments in the opening 10 minutes, however it was Matty Taylor who had the first real attempt in the game.

On 11 minutes, Sean Clare burst through the centre of the park and fed the U’s striker, whose snapshot was deflected onto the post.

Brannagan nearly played his goalkeeper into trouble again on 14 minutes, with a sharp pass picked up by Joe Iaciofano, however he couldn’t find his strike partner Jacob Bancroft.

Five minutes later, United had the lead, and it was the goalscorer who won it.

Dan Agyei took on his man on the right and won a corner. Anthony Forde swung it in and Agyei was well-placed to head in a low attempt into the corner of the goal.

On 24 minutes, The Hoops were gifted a chance when Jamie Hanson’s poor backwards header was pounced upon by Bancroft, but Iaciofano was unable to take advantage of his strike partner’s pass, with his soft attempt thwarted by Eastwood.

Four minutes later, Bancroft hit the outside of the post from a tight angle.

Another chance fell to City on the half hour mark, a trialist forcing a great fingertip save from Eastwood.

Agyei continued to be a menace for the City backline, charging through on 36 minutes after James Henry was hauled down, however the forward’s shot flew over the bar.

City introduced four substitutes at half-time, and Eastwood was called into action almost instantly, getting down low to punch behind an effort from Daniel Matsuzaka.

United however doubled their lead 10 minutes into the second half, when Taylor was played in and coolly slotted the ball past Ben Dudzinski.

On the hour mark, Karl Robinson swapped each of his outfield players, and combined with a series of changes by the home side, the sting was taken out the game.

Zac McEachran brought a save out of Eastwood on 72 minutes, and with seven minutes to go, substitute goalkeeper Kie Plumley stood no chance with a thunderous effort from edge of the box by Lewis Coyle.

On 88 minutes, Coyle brought City level with a thunderous effort from the edge of the box, however there was still time for United to nick it after Alex Gorrin got on the end of Ryan Williams’ cross in the dying moments.