OXFORD United lost three players to injury as they edged out Crewe Alexandra at the Kassam Stadium.

James Henry’s first-half penalty secured back-to-back wins for Karl Robinson’s side – the third spot-kick awarded in the U’s three Sky Bet League One games this season.

But United will be worried by injuries to Nathan Holland, Ryan Williams and Billy Bodin, who all came off after receiving treatment.

The victory puts the U’s fourth in the fledgling League One table, as they claimed a first clean sheet of the season.

United’s three changes to the starting XI all came at the top end of the pitch, with Bodin in for his home debut and Holland making the first start of his second spell.

That saw Mark Sykes and Gavin Whyte drop to the bench, while Matty Taylor replaced Sam Winnall.

Neither Elliott Moore nor Anthony Forde were fit so Luke McNally and Williams stayed on the right side of defence, but United were not the only ones with injury concerns.

Crewe had four players out through illness – none of them Covid-related – while defender Terell Thomas and forward Ben Knight made their debuts, the latter having joined on a season-long loan from Manchester City just yesterday.

United have had no luck with injuries in the season’s early days and it was only 16 minutes before Holland was forced off.

The winger could not continue after taking a knock as he released Brannagan with a lovely flick, which saw Dan Agyei come on for his first league appearance of the season.

United were guilty of wasting possession several times early on and it took them 29 minutes to create a meaningful chance, McNally heading over from Henry’s cross.

The U’s began to up the tempo and Bodin, who had already shown some neat touches, drove an effort over the top moments later.

The summer signing played a big part in the opener, too, when he was tripped after reaching a dropping ball a split-second before Thomas.

Henry stepped up to send goalkeeper Dave Richards the wrong way, meaning United’s last ten goals have all been scored by different players.

The U’s were pressing harder and Bodin almost created another when he latched on to an awful pass across the back from Crewe, but his cross-shot took the slightest touch off a defender to take the ball away from Taylor.

They continued to make their opponents’ defence sweat after the break, but it was not long before another enforced substitution.

Williams, who again performed well in the unfamiliar right back role, pulled up ten minutes into the half and was replaced by John Mousinho, with McNally moving across.

United continued to control possession, although Jack Stevens had to be alert to save Callum Ainley’s 68th-minute effort after the forward cut inside Jordan Thorniley.

The U’s had to be careful and Bodin was guilty of losing possession on halfway soon after – the move came to nothing, but the forward became the latest to need treatment.

He was able to walk off but United took no chances, with Gavin Whyte coming on for his 50th United appearance.

Agyei went up front with Taylor and poked the ball over when play restarted, as the U’s went to a 3-1-4-2 with Whyte and Steve Seddon on the wings.

Regan Griffiths replaced Josh Lundstram for Crewe and should have made an instant impact, but headed past Stevens’ far post when unmarked 12 yards out.

The visitors piled on the pressure and Rio Adebisi fired over the top when the ball fell loose in stoppage-time, as United just about held out.

Oxford United (4-3-3): Stevens, Williams (Mousinho 55), McNally, Thorniley, Seddon, Henry, Gorrin, Brannagan, Bodin (Whyte 76), Taylor, Holland (Agyei 16).

Unused subs: Eastwood, McGuane, Sykes, Winnall.

Booked: Gorrin, Henry.

Crewe Alexandra (4-3-3): Richards, Ramsay, Thomas, Offord, Adebisi, Lundstram (Griffiths 85), Murphy, Finney (Porter 78), Ainley, Mandron, Knight.

Unused subs: Daniels, Johnson, Robbins, Booth.

Booked: Offord, Lundstram.

Referee: Robert Madley (West Yorkshire).

Attendance: 6,757 (204 visitors).