OXFORD United gave several first-team players useful game-time in a 3-2 friendly defeat to Brentford B.

Jack Stevens played the opening 45 minutes as he continued his comeback from glandular fever, while John Mousinho, Ryan Williams, Billy Bodin, Sam Winnall and Dan Agyei were also involved from the start.

Williams and Winnall were on the scoresheet as the U’s fought back from 2-0 down in a five-goal first half, but they were unable to equalise again after the break.

The behind closed doors game at United’s training ground began at a frantic pace, with three goals in the first nine minutes.

Stevens made a great save from Daniel Oyegoke down to his right, but Ryan Trevitt was on hand to tap into an empty net.

The visitors went 2-0 up after six minutes, Lewis Gordon firing into the far corner with a first-time effort.

United responded well and quickly halved the deficit, Bodin curling in a free-kick from the left and Williams heading powerfully into the net.

The hosts grew into the game, with Agyei beating his man to fire just past the far post on 17 minutes.

Stevens looked sharp with the ball at his feet, while Ben Davis showed some neat touches in midfield.

Michael Elechi also impressed as an attacking left back, with the two youngsters combining to set up United’s equaliser.

Davis slid a ball into the penalty area for his teammate to chase and Elechi produced an excellent cross for Winnall to tap home six yards out.

The U’s were only level for nine minutes, though, as Nathan Young-Coombes made space for a shot before firing past Stevens, who could only help the ball on its way into the net.

The goalkeeper came off for Kie Plumley at the break in a pre-planned change, while ex-United youngster Nico Jones was a second-half substitute for the Bees.

The U’s put together some well-worked moves, one ending with Winnall heading Agyei’s cross just over the bar.

Williams was busy in central midfield and Bodin produced some moments of quality, going close to an equaliser on several occasions.

The forward’s best chance came when he decided to attack a cross with his chest rather than his head, but the attempt lacked the power to beat the Brentford goalkeeper.

United made a flurry of changes in the final 20 minutes as youngsters including Gatlin O’Donkor and Tyler Goodrham came on, yet an equaliser proved out of reach.

Oxford United (4-3-3): Stevens (Plumley 46), Watt (Sade 85), Mousinho (Nosakhare 69), Golding, Elechi (Owens 85), Davis (Anifowose 85), Johnson (Goodrham 85), Williams, Bodin (Smith 85), Winnall (O’Donkor 69), Agyei.