Oxford United 1, Wycombe Wanderers 2.

PETER Murphy scored for the third match running as Wanderers came from behind to beat Oxford after surviving an injury time penalty.

Blues were behind at the break and on course for a third match without a win as Danny Hylton’s penalty – awarded for a foul by Joe Jacobson – had given the U’s the lead.

But skipper Paul Hayes drew them level from Murphy’s pass before the big Scouser went from provider to scorer to turn the match on its head and end Oxford’s five match unbeaten run on home soil.

The U’s had the chance to snatch a share of the spoils late on however as they were awarded a second spot kick, but this one was blazed high over the bar by the sheepish Hylton - who had just been named the hosts' man of the match.

Hayes and Murphy both now have seven goals to their name this season as Wanderers showed character to come from behind and take the points in front of 1,690 of their travelling fans.

They promised much but delivered little with some wasteful finishing early on, and their performance was flat for the remainder of the first half having fallen behind.

But from somewhere came a renewed belief, determination and will to win – with the three points putting Blues back on top of the League Two pile and ensuring they haven’t lost in their rivals’ backyard since the first day of 2005.

Murphy had his early header from a Hayes cross clutched on the line by backpedalling keeper Ryan Clarke and the recalled Matt Bloomfield – in for the injured Paris Cowan-Hall in the only Wanderers change – had a shot blocked as Sam Wood’s cross managed to reach him.

Alfie Mawson then made a crunching tackle on Andy Whing that produced a furious reaction from the hosts, but with the home fans baying for blood referee Tim Robinson elected to show only yellow.

United struggled to make early inroads against the well-drilled Wanderers defence, who trapped them offside countless times in the opening quarter. Finally top scorer Hylton managed to time his run correctly to skirt clear of the visiting backline, but Matt Ingram made a sharp stop low down to keep out his near post effort.

It was a rare moment of attacking intent from the hosts as Blues dictated proceedings – but as like last week against Dagenham they failed to profit on the chances that came their way, with Steven Craig the next to fluff his lines as he sliced over the top from a promising position from Hayes’ pull back.

A first time effort from Josh Scowen flashed wide of the post after Bloomfield sent Jacobson’s cross into his path, before sheer weight of numbers at the back blocked Danny Rose’s effort as the ball spent an uncomfortably long period of time pinging around the Wanderers penalty area.

Oxford’s next foray forward brought with it the game’s opening goal as Jacobson tripped Hylton as he wormed his way into the area, leading to a penalty and a booking for the Blues defender. Hylton took it himself and slammed it past Ingram, who correctly guessed the direction of the spot kick but couldn’t get near it.

Jacobson almost atoned for his error as his corner early in the second half found the forehead of Aaron Pierre, but an Oxford defender was in the way to deflect it behind for the third of four set pieces in quick succession as Wanderers looked to put their hosts on the rack from the off.

Gareth Ainsworth decided to bring on his new signing Hogan Ephraim to add a bit of guile to the Wanderers attack, and his first contribution laid the foundations for an equalising goal. The former QPR man scampered clear down the right, United couldn’t clear their lines and eventually Murphy poked the ball through a gap and Hayes reacted quickest to slot it past Clarke.

The hosts appealed in vain for an offside flag, believing the Wanderers skipper was beyond the last yellow-shirted defender when Murphy played the ball, but the goal was allowed to stand.

Clearly in the mood for more Hayes outmuscled his man with some skilful ball juggling before sending a near post shot rising high off target as Blues’ confidence and belief was restored by the equaliser.

Then it was down to a tried and trusted combination to put Wanderers into the lead. Scowen’s cross was overhit and Clarke elected to leave it; Wood appeared out of nowhere to snaffle back possession and sent over a cross that Murphy – who hadn’t been picked up by anyone with yards of him – came charging forward to stoop and head in.

Tails were definitely up amongst the visitors and Scowen nicked possession off Whing before driving forward and overenthusiastically blasting a shot over the crossbar as the boos of desperation started to echo around the Kassam Stadium.

Substitute James Roberts did his best to lift the gloom but, having broken the offside trap all too easily, his cross/shot was held at the second attempt by Ingram.

Having scored himself, Hayes almost managed to provide Ephraim with a debut goal, but Clarke was swiftly off his line to stop the new boy’s low shot.

Disaster struck just as the game entered five minutes of stoppage time however as Wood was judged to have pushed over substitute Callum O’Dowda and for the second time the referee pointed to the spot.

Once more Hylton stepped forward – but this time he skied it over the crossbar to let Blues off the hook.

Wanderers: Ingram, Jombati, Pierre, Mawson, Jacobson, Scowen, Murphy, Bloomfield (sub Kretzschmar), Wood, Hayes (sub Rowe), Craig (sub Ephraim). Substitutes not used: Richardson, Lewis, Walker, McClure.

Attendance: 7,552 (1,690 from Wycombe)