OXFORD United threw away an early two-goal lead as they were beaten 3-2 at home to fellow promotion hopefuls Derby County.

The game had barely kicked off when Cameron Brannagan scored from the penalty spot after just two minutes to give the U’s an early lead, doubling the advantage 11 minutes later with a sumptuous free kick from the edge of the box.

Craig Forsyth pulled a goal back for the Rams on the cusp of half-time, when he arrived at the back post to bundle the ball in following a corner.

Liam Thompson, on as a substitute, brought the away side level with nine minutes to go, stabbing in from close range amid calls for a handball from the United defence, before Eiran Cashin completed the Derby turnaround in the 86th minute, when he applied the finish to a free kick swung into the U’s penalty box.

Des Buckingham named a completely unchanged starting XI and bench following the late Boxing Day win at home to Cambridge United, while Josh Murphy has been ruled out for three weeks with a calf injury.

The U’s made an electric start, with Brannagan sending Joe Wildsmith the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Will Finnie awarded the spot kick after Wildsmith barged into Mark Harris following Brannagan’s ball over the top.

Before the advantage could be doubled, James Beadle had to make a smart stop at his near post to deny Max Bird.

A minute later though, a quick counter-attack reached Stan Mills, who was hauled down on the edge of the penalty area.

Brannagan stepped up and slammed the ball around the wall and into Wildsmith’s bottom far corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

A free kick in a similar area was presented to Brannagan midway through the first half, and this time, he opted to drill it low through the wall, however Wildsmith was able to claim the ball at the second attempt.

The Rams launched a series of crosses into the U’s area, however the defence remained strong and repelled most of the danger.

Kane Wilson came close to connecting with James Collins’ cross from the right-hand side though shortly before the half hour mark.

At the other end, Harris sold his marker a dummy to work himself space 20 yards out, however his left-footed strike was hit straight at Wildsmith.

Forsyth headed against the crossbar after Beadle failed to get strong enough contact on a left-wing cross, before the left back did pull a goal back for the visitors towards the end of first half stoppage time.

A corner wasn’t effectively dealt with, allowing Forsyth to tap the ball home unmarked at the back post.

Buckingham made a switch at the break, bringing on James Henry for Tyler Goodrham in a straight swap on the left wing.

The visitors made a predictably aggressive start to the second period, with Collins missing out on Tom Barkhuizen’s cross and Bird firing well over from 25 yards.

Josh McEachran came on for Mills just before an hour had been played, with the alteration seeing Harris move out to the right and Ruben Rodrigues go up front. Henry stayed on the left, while Brannagan played in front of a double pivot of McEachran and Marcus McGuane.

A glorious opportunity was presented to Kane Wilson in the six-yard box, however his stabbed effort grazed the top of the crossbar.

Beadle then denied substitute Tyreece John-Jules’ stinging effort from the right channel of the area, prior to Buckingham’s third switch of the evening when Jordan Thorniley replaced Harris.

It became backs against the wall stuff for United, but on a rare forage forward, Henry took a touch and hit straight at Wildsmith following good work on the left by Joe Bennett.

Thompson though bagged an equaliser for the Rams when he stabbed the ball in from close range, before Cashin put Derby in front when he finished from the centre of the box after a left-wing free kick was swung into the penalty area.

Oxford United (4-3-3): Beadle; Stevens, Moore, Brown, Bennett; Rodrigues, McGuane (O’Donkor 87), Brannagan; Mills (McEachran 59), Harris (Thorniley 70), Goodrham (Henry 46).

Unused subs: Eastwood, Gorrin, Smyth.

Booked: Beadle.

Derby County (4-4-2): Wildsmith; Nyambe (Sibley 75), Nelson, Cashin, Forsyth (Bradley 75); Wilson (Ward 81), Bird, Hourihane, Barkhuizen (Thompson 81); Mendez-Laing, Collins (John-Jules 61).

Unused subs: Vickers, Elder.

Booked: Wildsmith, Bird, Barkhuizen, John-Jules.

Referee: Will Finnie (Bedfordshire).

Attendance: 11,219 (TBC visitors).