CHRIS Maguire’s stoppage-time free-kick saw Oxford United inflict the first defeat of high-flying Bradford City’s season.

The U’s top-scorer found the far corner from 25 yards to bag his seventh goal of the season as last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to AFC Wimbledon was laid to rest.

It was a richly-deserved result on the evidence of the second half, which United controlled.

Bradford looked the better side before the break and were awarded a soft penalty, which Billy Clarke smashed against the crossbar.

But City failed to register a single shot on target and while the Football League’s joint best defence held out for most of the game, they had no answer to Maguire’s late set piece.

The teamsheet showed three changes in United’s XI.

Josh Ruffels replaced the injured Joe Skarz, as expected, but a groin problem ruled out Liam Sercombe so Joe Rothwell took his place in midfield.

The final change saw Kane Hemmings make way for Ryan Taylor, who was deployed in left midfield as Maguire played up front with Wes Thomas.

It was a surprising role for the tall target man, but he was involved in a move which created the first chance of the game, on eight minutes.

Taylor nutmegged Timothee Dieng on the halfway line and spread the ball to Phil Edwards, whose cross found Maguire 20 yards out.

The Scot’s shot was well struck, but Bantams goalkeeper Colin Doyle palmed the ball round the post.

The City stopper thwarted Maguire again with the next opening, keeping out the downward header from Alex MacDonald’s cross.

Bradford had not tasted defeat this season and did not take long to get into the game.

They were neat on the ball, but were handed a glorious chance on 20 minutes when Dieng went down in the box.

It looked a soft decision against Phil Edwards, but United’s sense of injustice lasted only as long as it took for Clarke to thump the penalty against the crossbar.

Despite the setback, City looked strong.

Jordy Hiwula had a great chance when he popped up unmarked 12 yards out, as the U’s appealed for an offside flag which failed to materialise. The striker had time to take a touch, but instead lashed the volley wildly over.

United gradually came back into the game in the final 15 minutes of the half.

A slick move saw MacDonald run on to Rothwell’s incisive pass and backheel the ball into the path of Thomas, whose shot was well blocked.

It was Thomas’s last act of the game, having to come off after picking up a knock.

Witney Gazette:

  • Wes Thomas has a shot blocked shortly before coming off with a calf strain

Marvin Johnson replaced him, but rather than take his place wide on the left, Taylor was kept out in his unorthodox role and the substitute played through the middle.

United started the second half strongly with a spell which pushed City into retreat.

Maguire had a penalty shout correctly turned down, while Doyle saved a low shot from Taylor.

The hosts forced several corners, from which City broke at speed to create an excellent opening for Hiwula, who again blasted over from a dangerous position.

United came again in the final 20 minutes.

Substitute Hemmings volleyed wide with his knee from a Taylor knockdown, while City had to resort to more last-ditch defending when Chey Dunkley headed a corner into the six-yard box.

But the Bantams had the joint best defensive record in the entire Football League and, somehow, they held firm.

It looked like they had done enough to grind out a goalless draw, but in stoppage time referee David Webb, who had not won many friends in Oxfordshire for his display, spotted a foul on Lundstram.

Up stepped Maguire, to grab the late headlines once again.

There was almost drama well after the four minutes of added time had elapsed, when Romain Vincelot went down in the box.

The referee thought long and hard over what looked a much clearer case for a spot kick than the one he awarded before the break.

But when he blew the whistle, it was for full-time.

Oxford Utd: Eastwood, Edwards, Raglan, Dunkley, Ruffels, MacDonald (Hemmings 66), Rothwell, Lundstram, Maguire, Thomas (Johnson 38), Taylor.

Unused subs: Buchel, Nelson, Long, Crowley, T Roberts.

Bradford C: Doyle, Darby, Vincelot, Knight-Percival, Meredith (Kilgallon 48), Marshall (Morais 62), Dieng, Cullen, Law, Clarke, Hiwula (McNulty 62).

Unused subs: Sattelmaier, Vuckic, McArdle, Devine.

Referee: David Webb (County Durham).

Attendance: 8,245 (1,101 visitors).