Oxford United and Hull City had to accept a 1-1 draw after a game that swung quickly from a flying away start to a hard-fought, even contest. Mohamed Belloumi marked his first start of the year with a goal inside four minutes, but Cameron Brannagan responded from the penalty spot soon after to restore parity for the hosts.
The outcome extended Oxford's encouraging recent run and added another point to their survival fight, even if they remained in the relegation zone. Hull, meanwhile, were left to reflect on a chance missed after such a sharp opening, yet the draw still kept Sergej Jakirovic's side in fifth place and firmly involved in the promotion race.
Belloumi's return delivers an instant impact
Both teams welcomed players back from international duty, with Jamie Donley again in Oxford's line-up after scoring for Northern Ireland against Wales and Mark Harris returning to the bench following Wales' shoot-out defeat by Bosnia-Herzegovina. Hull made five changes, including Dillon Phillips coming in for Ivor Pandur, while Belloumi returned from a hamstring injury and Charlie Hughes was back after suspension.