Aaron Ramsey’s men extended their league unbeaten run to four games, picking up their fourth win of the season thanks to goals from Mark Harris and captain Cameron Brannagan.

Jamie Cumming just missed out on a clean sheet on his return to the side as Rory Finneran found a stoppage-time consolation goal, with eight yellow cards dished out in a hostile atmosphere.

The U’s rose to fourth in the table ahead of the 3PM kick-offs.

After a scrappy first couple of minutes, Oxford almost, and should have, took the lead with a cross from Mo Missanga touched onto Tyler Goodrham who had time to shoot in the box but could only tamely place it at the goalkeeper.

Jamie Cumming’s first save came moments later, holding Cal Roberts’ low effort.

The U’s soon grew into control, Louie Sibley and Peter Kioso having powerful efforts blocked before the breakthrough.

The opening goal was a gift for Harris, James Belshaw playing the ball straight to the Wales international who slotted home with aplomb.

Possession changed hands fairly often after the goal, County with careless passes as Oxford tried to push forward.

Another giveaway came from Jacob Bedeau to Siriki Dembele, the winger firing over the crossbar as he entered the box.

The Magpies then blasted over themselves, James Gibbons with too much on his effort from the edge of the penalty area.

The hosts did manage to find the net just before the break, Gibbons kicking it out of the grasp of Cumming and a foul given in Oxford’s favour.

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Martin Paterson’s men began the second half with vigour, calling for multiple penalties as they tried to force their way into the Yellows’ box.

A good save from Cumming denied a bending Roberts effort, the midfielder seeing another blocked moments later.

A rockets wide at the near post from Goodrham preceded the hosts scuppering a big opportunity, Daniel Kanu missing the ball as it came to him in the box.

Oxford pinned County back with efforts from Lynch and O’Donkor thwarted, before the hosts returned the favour.

Finneran saw a shot blocked himself as the visitors struggled to clear, eventually doing so fatally.

Luka Lynch burst forward for United, playing to Brannagan who arrowed into the bottom corner to bag his side’s second.

A lapse in concentration saw Finneran’s strike from the edge of the area beat Cumming, but it was too little, too late for Paterson’s men.

Magpies: Belshaw, Gibbons (Tsaroulla 46), McDonald, Bedeau, Roberts, Cooper (Finneran 46), Kanu, Grant (Smyth 65), Ness, Palmer (Sanders 46), Samuels-Smith

Yellows: Cumming, Kioso, Helik, Brown, Currie (Spencer 76), Brannagan, Sibley (Andrews 58), Goodrham (O’Donkor 66), Missanga (Snowden 66), Harris, Dembele (Lynch 76)

Bookings: McDonald, Cooper, Sanders, Bedeau, Finneran; Sibley, Kioso, Helik

The U’s boss has a choice to make between starting the former Chelsea goalkeeper in League One for the first time in almost two months or to stick with Simon Eastwood between the sticks.

Cumming started his first match since coming off injured against Stevenage in August in a 2-2 draw (and 4-3 penalty shootout defeat) at Exeter City in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy on Tuesday.

Since the win at Stevenage, Eastwood has started every league match, impressing on his return to the starting place in around three years.

With the Yellows set to face Notts County on Saturday in the their first game back after the international break, Ramsey has a decision to make.

“It is one that is going to be difficult, of course, but…10 other positions already on the pitch are going to be difficult and everybody has their own case and right to want to start again.

“There are many decisions that I have to make that are difficult, but that’s why I’m in this position.

Oxford United goalkeeper Jamie Cumming (Image: Jason Dawson)

“I’ve got to make these decisions that I feel like it’s best to go and win a game of football.”

So far this season when players have been ruled out through injury, others have stepped up to the mark in their absence.

Eastwood is a fine example, as is academy graduate Mo Missanga.

Harrison Bradney is another youngster who earned his first professional appearance at Exeter, scoring on his debut, and could deputise for the injured Jamie McDonnell.

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“Everybody’s fully committed to the cause, to the way that we want to play and are ready,” Ramsey continued.

“So when those opportunities come up, then they’re ready to take them.

“We try to get the players in the best possible place to be able to influence games and have a real positive impact in them.

“Not just players through injuries, but also impact from the bench has been top this season, so far this season.

“Really pleased with Bradney and the way that he went about his business in pre-season was really good.

Oxford United goalkeeper Simon Eastwood (Image: James Williamson)

“I think he’s a player who has a lot of quality.

“Technically, he’s really good, clean on the ball, plays side-on, so he can play them forward passes, break lines.

“And also he showed a different side as well, where he can get into the box as well and arrive late and get on the end of things.

“Of course we have to be patient with him, but somebody who has definitely caught the eye and thoroughly deserves his start and his goal that he got on Tuesday night.

“So there are opportunities to have here.”