Liam Sercombe made amends for missing a penalty but second-placed Oxford had to settle for a 1-1 draw against lowly Stevenage at the Kassam Stadium after playing most of the match with 10 men.

Sercombe saw his spot kick well saved by Jamie Jones low to his right in first-half stoppage time, after Jones had manhandled Danny Hylton.

But in the 58th minute the U's skipper controlled Kemar Roofe's cross from the left on a superb run from deep, and shot past Jones from eight yards, for his 14th goal of the season.

However, Boro equalised on 69 minutes when Byron Harrison fired home first-time from Greg Luer's pass.

Michael Appleton's Oxford had been reduced to 10 men after just 18 minutes when midfielder John Lundstram was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Michael Tonge.

The 22-year-old will now miss United's Johnstone's Paint Trophy final against Barnsley at Wembley on April 3.

With the extra player, Stevenage were able to carve out more opportunities than they had probably expected, and Dean Parrett shot wide from 20 yards.

Luer also hit a left-footed drive across the face of the goal.

It was a vital point for Stevenage - in Glenn Roeder's first game as managerial assistant - in their battle to beat the drop.