OXFORD United were denied a sixth Sky Bet League One victory on the bounce after Blackpool nicked a stoppage time equaliser.

Greg Leigh had given United the lead in the first half with his fifth goal for the club, however Jordan Rhodes headed in during injury time to halt the U’s winning run.

Liam Manning made two changes to the side which beat Bristol Rovers before the international break.

One of those was enforced as Cameron Brannagan missed out with illness, so Josh McEachran was restored to the starting line-up for the first time in the league since the win against Carlisle United in August, the second game of the campaign.

The other alteration saw Stanley Mills, available after his straight red against the Pirates was rescinded, come in for Fin Stevens at right wing back.

Openings were at a premium in the first half, with the first sniff of goal coming with 13 minutes on the clock.

A Ruben Rodrigues free kick searched out Leigh at the back post, however the ball had just a little bit too much on it for the Jamaica international.

As the game ticked towards the half hour mark, Mark Harris picked the pocket of Kenny Dougall, and despite calls from the away side for a foul on the Australian midfielder, referee Thomas Kirk waved play on.

Harris surged for goal, however dragged a right-footed effort comfortably wide of Dan Grimshaw’s right-hand post.

Another set piece offered the U’s a sight of goal when McEachran whipped in a free kick, with Leigh again popping up at the back post.

The 29-year-old’s header though drew a smart hold from Grimshaw in the Seasiders goal.

United took the lead minutes later though when Leigh rounded off a well-worked passing move.

It resulted in Mills sending in a cross from the right wing, which Leigh – again at the back post – fired into the bottom corner.

The Tangerines edged possession in the opening stages of the second period as Neil Critchley’s side sought an equaliser.

The first opportunity came when Rhodes attempted to lob James Beadle, however the former U’s loanee didn’t get enough power on the effort.

At the other end, Billy Bodin blazed a 25-yard shot high over Grimshaw’s crossbar.

Both managers made a change just before the hour mark, with Manning bringing on Tyler Goodrham in place of Bodin, while the visitors switched Shayne Lavery on for Kylian Kouassi.

Fin Stevens replaced Mills minutes later for United.

Lavery saw a header fly over the bar after a cross from the right-hand side, before James Husband nodded wide from a Sonny Carey corner.

Both sides made double changes as the game edged into the final 10 minutes, with Josh Murphy and Gatlin O’Donkor introduced in place of Rodrigues and Harris for the U’s.

Lavery looked to take advantage of a sloppy ball at the back, however Rhodes’ effort was put wide from the angle from his strike partner’s cross.

A loose ball then fell to Rhodes eight yards out, but the centre forward sent his strike on the stretch over the crossbar.

Rhodes was again presented a glimmer of goal, however Beadle thwarted the striker as he looked to swipe the ball across the keeper and into the bottom corner.

Veteran striker Rhodes was not to be denied though when he stooped low to head home from close range two minutes into stoppage time.

Oxford United (3-4-2-1): Beadle; Long, Moore, Brown; Mills (Stevens 62), McGuane, McEachran, Leigh; Rodrigues (Murphy 81), Bodin (Goodrham 59); Harris (O’Donkor 81).

Unused subs: Eastwood, Thorniley, Gorrin.

Booked: None.

Blackpool (3-5-2): Grimshaw; Pennington, Casey, Husband; Hamilton, Oakley-Booth (Morgan 78), Dougall, Carey (Dembele 78), Dale; Rhodes, Kouassi (Lavery 59).

Unused subs: O’Donnell, Ekpiteta, Connolly, Weir.

Booked: Oakley-Booth, Dougall, Dale, Rhodes, Husband.

Referee: Thomas Kirk (Greater Manchester)

Attendance: 9,417 (781 visitors).