Nelson nets winner as Oxford claim vital victory at Coventry

Posted Sunday, March 24, 2019 by PA

Oxford eased their League One relegation fears with a 1-0 victory at Coventry.

Curtis Nelson’s 57th-minute header ensured the U’s recorded back-to-back league wins for just the second time this season and it lifted them four points above the relegation zone.

The hosts made a bright start and it required excellent goalkeeping from Simon Eastwood to prevent Luke Thomas from giving Coventry an early lead as he shot from close range.

Amadou Bakayoko looked to have broken the deadlock after 23 minutes when he leapt highest to meet Brandon Mason’s inviting cross, but the striker’s effort rattled the woodwork before being cleared.

Eastwood denied Thomas again, this time at the start of the second half, after the on-loan Derby winger got the better of Josh Ruffels before firing an effort that was blocked by the U’s number one.

The breakthrough came after a defensive mix-up between Dom Hyam and Lee Burge resulted in a cheap Oxford corner, and the set-piece found Nelson at the back post and he rifled in a bullet header.

The goal knocked Coventry off their stride and the Sky Blues were unable to muster a response, meaning Mark Robins’ side fall to ninth, two points adrift of the play-off positions.