Oxford United 1-0 Blackburn Rovers: Cameron Brannagan earns narrow win for Gary Rowett's resurgent side

Cameron Brannagan struck a stunning free-kick winner as Oxford United beat play-off chasing Blackburn 1-0 to make it six Championship games unbeaten under new boss Gary Rowett.

Siriki Dembele was brought down by Callum Brittain just outside the area and Brannagan drove the 67th-minute free-kick high into the far corner of the net with goalkeeper Aynsley Pears helpless.

It was the midfielder's second goal of the season after he netted in Oxford's opening-day win against Norwich but was then sidelined with injury for weeks.

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United have won all three home games since Rowett took over from Des Buckingham in December.

This result is a blow to Blackburn's promotion hopes and they will rue not being able to take their chances when they enjoyed good possession in the second part of the first half.

Rowett gave a debut to Poland international centre back Michal Helik, who was signed from League One Huddersfield on Friday.

Their other signing this week, striker Tom Bradshaw - who has joined from Millwall - started on the bench.

Rovers came into the game full of confidence following their midweek 3-0 demolition of Portsmouth at Ewood Park.

Oxford started brightly and from Will Vaulks's early long throw, Dembele skied his 20-yard shot well wide.

Rovers stopper Pears saved from Ruben Rodrigues after good work by Dembele on the left, and the home side had the ball in the net in the ninth minute, only for it to be ruled out because Mark Harris had strayed offside.

It remained nearly all Oxford in the early stages but when Harris met Greg Leigh's low cross with a first-time shot from 16 yards, he could only direct it straight at Pears.

Rovers had their first sight of goal midway through the first half, yet Todd Cantwell struck his free-kick from 25 yards high over the crossbar.

But the visitors were getting more into the match and John Buckley fizzed a shot from distance narrowly wide.

Moments later, Jamie Cumming saved Brittain's right-footed shot from Amario Cozier-Duberry's cross with an outstretched foot.

Cumming was called into action at the start of the second half as he beat out a fierce drive from Buckley.

Przemyslaw Placheta was denied by Pears' good reaction save at the other end, and Pears then spread himself well to block a Harris shot.

Oxford started to get control and when Brannagan broke the deadlock, it was no more than they deserved.

Vaulks went close to a second goal late on, his shot deflecting wide.

Dominic Hyam had an opportunity deep into stoppage time for Rovers, but Cumming saved comfortably to secure the victory.

The managers

Oxford's Gary Rowett:

"I was super impressed with the players today. It was a different type of challenge against a top-six side, coming here on the back of a good result.

"We started really, really brightly and looked like we had a threat. We maybe had a 10-minute spell where we started to be over-confident and invite pressure but then went back to mixing it up again.

"There were loads of good quality moments. Blackburn are a tough side to play against, they don't give many goals away and many chances away and if we were going to score against them, it was going to have to be a bit of magic.

"We were on the wrong side of a decision where we had a goal chalked off for offside that I don't think was, but then Cameron steps up after good play from (Siriki) Dembele and drills one into the top corner. It was a wonderful finish and certainly a finish to win any game of football."

Blackburn's John Eustace:

"We didn't start particularly well first half but then got into it and had a couple of chances.

"And we didn't start very well in the second half either, we were sloppy with the ball, didn't look after it well enough and they punished us with a very good free-kick.

"It's something we've got to learn from. We're down to bare bones a bit with the squad, with players playing their second or third game in a week when they haven't been playing much, so we have to take that into consideration.

"We also have to look at the positive side - the last 10 minutes we had a go, again, to try to get that equaliser and just couldn't put the ball in the net. But we've got to learn from today.

"Overall, we weren't good enough today to come away with anything."

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