CAMERON Brannagan scored twice as ten-man Oxford United came from behind to beat Cheltenham Town and claim their first away win of the season.

The midfielder fired home a penalty four minutes from time to complete the turnaround after an off the ball incident in the box.

The U’s were already a man down after Billy Bodin received two bookings in the space of four minutes following quickfire goals just after the hour mark.

Brannagan curled home from a clever free-kick routine, three minutes after Taylor Perry gave Cheltenham the lead when United failed to clear a set-piece of their own.

The game became increasingly bad-tempered and Ellis Chapman received his second yellow card in stoppage-time as the U's ran down the clock.

It gave United their first away win of the season and a first victory over Cheltenham since 2013, while they climb to 17th in Sky Bet League One.

Karl Robinson made five changes from Tuesday’s clash with Crystal Palace, but the headline team news was all about a player who did not start against the Eagles.

Matty Taylor was dropped for a League One game for the first time since August 2021, with Bodin partnering ex-Cheltenham loanee Kyle Joseph up front in a 3-5-2 formation.

Marcus McGuane and James Henry returned from injury to replace Josh Johnson and Lewis Bate in midfield, while James Golding kept his spot at right wing back.

Simon Eastwood and Stuart Findlay were also restored to the XI, Ed McGinty and John Mousinho making way.

United are yet to score in the first half this season but almost broke their duck inside two minutes. Bodin headed Henry’s cross to Steve Seddon 12 yards out and the wing back’s powerful effort was blocked on the line by Lewis Freestone.

It set the tone for a positive start from the U’s, with Henry seeing a volley at the far post deflected behind.

Cheltenham’s front two of Dan Nlundulu and Alfie May looked bright, though, and they combined to send the latter clear in the 13th minute. Eastwood raced off his line quickly and stood up well to block the striker’s attempted dink.

Caleb Taylor sent a header goalwards that was easily saved by the stopper, but the chances dried up at both ends as several United moves broke down in the final third.

May then volleyed across goal in the 32nd minute after Cheltenham took a free-kick quickly as the hosts enjoyed a good spell.

United had been unable to worry Luke Southwood since the first quarter of an hour and Brannagan had a couple of efforts from range, with one going wide and the other straight at the goalkeeper.

Nlundulu then worked space for a shot on the stroke of half-time, but Ciaron Brown rounded off a solid opening 45 minutes with an excellent sliding block.

Taylor replaced Golding at the break as United switched to a 4-4-2 diamond, with Henry and Brannagan as a wide midfield two.

Henry had a chance early on when he beat Ben Williams in the penalty area, only to fire into the side-netting from a tight angle.

Eastwood then dived to his right to catch Nlundulu’s header as the second half started more open than the first.

Bodin snatched at a half-volley in the six-yard box and Cheltenham cleared after a scramble, before McGuane made a brilliant tackle on May at the other end after the forward beat Sam Long down United’s right.

The hosts looked threatening and took the lead just after the hour mark. Chapman’s free-kick was headed across goal and Eastwood could only punch as far as Perry, whose shot took a deflection and found the bottom corner.

It was now all about how United responded and they did exactly that – emphatically.

Taylor won a free-kick on the left corner of the box and Brannagan played it short to Bodin, who stopped the ball for the midfielder to whip the shot into the far corner.

The U’s were back on level terms, but they were soon a man down. Bodin was booked for a high challenge on Caleb Taylor and received his second yellow card four minutes later after catching Williams with his studs in front of the dugout.

Alex Gorrin and Mousinho replaced Henry and Seddon as United looked to keep it tight, but they were handed the chance to take the lead in bizarre fashion.

Ciaron Brown challenged for a cross and the linesman spotted a shirt pull on Matty Taylor off the ball, with referee Charles Breakspear booking Caleb Taylor in the aftermath.

Brannagan stepped up to send Southwood the wrong way and score his fourth of the season, before Chapman received his second booking in a fiery end to the contest.

Cheltenham Town (3-4-1-2): Southwood, Long, Taylor, Freestone (Raglan 87), Lloyd, Adshead (Norton 81), Chapman, Williams (Ferry 81), Perry, May, Nlundulu.

Unused subs: Brown, Bradbury, MacDonald, Barkers.

Booked: Chapman, Taylor, Lloyd, Ferry, Norton.

Sent off: Chapman.

Oxford United (3-4-1-2): Eastwood, Long, Findlay, Brown, Golding (Taylor 46), McGuane, Brannagan, Seddon (Mousinho 82), Henry (Gorrin 79), Bodin, Joseph (O’Donkor 90+2).

Unused subs: McGinty, Bate, Goodrham.

Booked: Joseph, Bodin, Taylor, Brannagan.

Sent off: Bodin.

Referee: Charles Breakspear (Surrey).

Attendance: 4,554 (1,209 visitors).