OXFORD United have treated us to plenty of second-half drama in recent weeks – and it turns out that has been the case for much of the season.

Analysis of all 146 goals for and against the U’s in 2020/21 shows they are most likely to score in the last half an hour of games, but that is also when they are at their most vulnerable.

There have been a whopping 63 goals in the final 30 minutes of United’s matches this season, compared to 39 and 44 in the first and middle thirds respectively.

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We have seen both sides of the coin in the last fortnight, with the U’s striking late to beat Gillingham and Shrewsbury Town, but shipping two decisive goals at AFC Wimbledon.

Dividing matches into 15-minute windows, United have been most deadly in the latter stages, scoring 20 times from the 76th minute onwards.

But many of those efforts have come with the U’s already ahead, meaning those strikes have only bagged them a net four points.

Witney Gazette: Elliot Lee heads home Oxford United’s last-minute equaliser at MK Dons Picture: Darrell Fisher

Elliot Lee heads home Oxford United's late equaliser at MK Dons Picture: Darrell Fisher

Meanwhile, they have been most likely to concede between the 61st and 75th minute, when opponents have found the net on 15 occasions – including four goals in the last three matches.

Karl Robinson’s side have started several games slowly, with Mark Sykes admitting after Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle that it sometimes takes the opposition to score for United to react.

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But the U’s have conceded just seven goals in the first 15 minutes of the first half this season, plus the same number in the opening quarter of an hour of the second period.

And United have only lost twice when their opponents have scored in the first quarter of an hour, at Lincoln City on the opening day of the season and Fleetwood Town on Halloween.

Elsewhere, two statistics that contrasted hugely for much of the campaign have been turned on their heads in the last five weeks.

Witney Gazette: Anthony Forde fires in the equaliser during Oxford United's home game with Lincoln City.Picture: Ric Mellis.26/3/21.

Anthony Forde fires in the equaliser during Oxford United's home game with Lincoln City Picture: Ric Mellis

Before United’s home victory over Lincoln City on March 26, they had lost just one of the 21 games where they had scored first.

On the flip side, the U’s had triumphed in just two of the 19 matches where their opponents had broken the deadlock.

Since then, the U’s have come from behind to beat Lincoln and Gillingham, as well as losing to Sunderland and AFC Wimbledon after going ahead.