Argyle finish the year bottom after U's defeat

THERE were surprise returns to action of Morgan Whittaker and Ryan Hardie for the visit to the Kassam Stadium. Whittaker had missed the six previous matches, since the 2-2 draw against Watford at home on November 22, due to a toe injury.

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

Hardie, meanwhile, made an earlier than expected comeback from the badly gashed left knee which he suffered during the 3-3 draw at home to Middlesbrough on December 21.

Whittaker and Hardie were two of four changes to the starting line-up from the 4-0 Boxing Day thrashing at Coventry City, with goalkeeper Conor Hazard getting recalled and there was also a place in the team for Matty Sorinola.

Hazard took over between the posts from Dan Grimshaw, who dropped down to the substitutes’ bench after conceding 21 goals in the previous six games.

It was Hazard’s first game since he suffered an ankle ligament injury near the end of the 1-0 home defeat by Stoke City at the end of August.

Sorinola played at right-back as Argyle lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, while Bali Mumba in the wide left attacking role, while Whittaker was on the opposite side of the pitch.

Possession of the ball was split evenly as both sides took time to settle into the game, but Oxford opened the scoring in the 14th minute with the first scoring chance of the contest.

Argyle could not clear a corner fully and when the ball was played back into the box by Tyler Goodrham it was met by a diving header from defender Ciaron Brown, who guided it low to the right of Hazard, who was helpless to do anything about it.