WES Thomas scored twice as Oxford United finished their pre-season trip to Portugal with victory over Hull City.

The striker tapped in from close range just after the half-hour mark to open the scoring in Albufeira, before doubling his tally by slotting in Canice Carroll’s perfect pass early in the second half.

United put their bodies on the line to keep the Sky Bet Championship side out, but Adama Diomande pulled a goal back in the 74th minute.

It was not the start of a comeback, though, as Pep Clotet’s side held to claim victory.

New signing James Henry started in a much-changed side from Wednesday’s goalless draw with Middlesbrough.

Both sets of fans were in good voice before the game, but Hull made most of the early running.

They had the ball in the net after 13 minutes, when Abel Hernandez knocked in after Markus Henriksen’s 20-yard shot hit Scott Shearer’s left-hand post.

Despite the goal being announced by the Ferreiras Stadium’s colourful PA announcer, the offside flag was up.

Max Clark headed a good chance wide at a corner shortly afterwards, as United struggled to make headway.

A hopeful Josh Ruffels shot from the centre circle which drifted well wide was the sum total of their attacking efforts before the drinks break on the 25-minute mark.

The stoppage appeared to do United good – and shortly after the restart they opened the scoring.

Henry’s forward run was found and he laid off cleverly to Hall. The winger drove into the penalty area and let fly with a fierce shot, which Allan McGregor spilled into the path of Thomas, who could not miss from four yards.

The lead might have only lasted a few seconds.

A careless header from Carroll let Hernandez in, but he let the defender off the hook by blasting his shot over the crossbar.

Carroll made amends just before the break, sliding in to deny the Uruguayan a certain goal after Kamil Grosicki had sprung the offside trap.

In between the chances, Charlie Raglan twice threatened to double the lead after getting on the end of set pieces.

His first header was well saved by McGregor, who will have been relieved to see the next chance nodded over his crossbar.

Ahmed Elmohamady, one of four half-time substitutes for Hull, headed a good chance to equalise wide two minutes after the restart.

United made the most of the let-off by doubling their lead with the next meaningful attack.

Carroll split the defence with a perfectly-measured pass which saw Thomas race into the box and coolly beat Eldin Jakupovic.

Several last-ditch interventions at the other end preserved United’s clean sheet.

Raglan, Fiacre Kelleher, Thomas and Marvin Johnson all kept the Tigers at bay, but 16 minutes from time United’s defence were breached for the first time in pre-season.

Diomande ran on to Dan Batty’s pass and his low shot clipped the far post on its way into the net.

The Tigers pushed for an equaliser, but again found United a tough nut to crack.

Substitute Ryan Ledson was among those to make a valuable block in the closing stages as United held on to secure a hard-fought victory.

Oxford Utd: Shearer (Stevens 77), Carroll, Kelleher (Nelson 65), Raglan (Martin 65), Johnson (Ribeiro 65), Hall (Baptiste 73), Lundstram (Ledson 65), Ruffels, Rothwell (Napa 65), Henry (Hemmings 58), Thomas (Roberts 65).

Subs: Eastwood.

Hull City: McGregor, Lenihan, Dawson, Clark, Aina, Clucas, Henriksen, Grosicki, Evandro, Bowen, Hernandez.

Subs used: Jakupovic, Weir, Elmohamady, Diomande, Batty, Olley.

Unused subs: Luer, Clackstone.