The Reading-born duo scored the goals to secure a 2-0 win for the U’s, the first victory over their Thames Valley rivals since 1999.

The win saw Oxford extend their League One unbeaten run to 10 games and remain third in the division, three points off top spot.

Academy graduates O’Donkor and Missanga made the difference in the second half, coming off the bench to inspire a cut-throat second half.

Ramsey revealed his message to the young duo after the match, saying: “When I was bringing them both on, I said, look, you’re both going to have big impacts here tonight, and this is made for you boys to come on and get your goals.

“I’m really pleased that they came on and had those impacts and have their moments to share with the fans.”

Gatlin O’Donkor celebrates scoring against Reading (Image: Darrell Fisher)

The ex-Arsenal added: “Them coming on tonight and getting a goal is brilliant for both of them because they’ve been really good and they’ve worked really hard over the last few weeks.

“So, for them to get a reward for that with a goal each tonight is pleasing.”

The midweek win is yet another result to be proud of for Ramsey’s side who have only been defeated once in the league in all 13 games played so far.

The head coach continued: “I’m super proud of my team.

“The way that we performed throughout the whole 90 minutes, I was really pleased with.

“I thought we controlled the game in the first half. We had to be a bit more patient, try and switcher a few times and make them work, because then you go into the second half and the demands are so high that we put on teams that opportunities do appear.

READ MORE: Oxford United player ratings as captain Brannagan inspires win over Royals

READ MORE: Oxford United beat Reading in substitute-inspired Thames Valley derby win

“Sometimes it’s like that, but I thought the way that we got into our structure, I thought our controlling positions were really good tonight.

“Moments of quality then. When the ball is a free kick or a throw-in, it’s not an option for us to rest, and that’s when we become alive. That was evident in the goal today.”

Ramsey has made an incredible impact since joining the club in the summer, navigating a transfer embargo and bringing together a young squad.

In his first permanent head coach role, the former Wales international is thriving in the dugout.

He finished: “I’m loving every moment of it.

“Me and my staff, full credit to them as well. We work hard to give our players the best opportunities to go out and win football games.

“It’s a real pleasure to be here.”

Reading-born duo Gatlin O’Donkor and Mo Missanga scored the goals to secure Oxford’s first win over the Royals in 27 years.

The win sees Aaron Ramsey’s men remain third in the league, three points off top spot with a game in hand.

Here is how we rated the Yellows players at the Kassam…

Simon Eastwood – 7.5

Called back into action after Jamie Cumming’s suspension and secured his third clean sheet of the season.

A notable save to stop Jack Marriott and two others kept Reading at bay.

Peter Kioso – 6

Saw less of his lung-busting runs forward as he was tasked with shuffling into a back three on the ball.

Was a bit hit and miss in his duels and was booked.

Michal Helik – 7

Performed well whilst playing through a knock picked up at Barnsley.

Michal Helik heads at goal for Oxford (Image: Darrell Fisher)

Won his aerial duels and even made it all the way to the opposition by-line at one point.

Ciaron Brown – 6.5

A couple of really incisive passes and was strong in the early stages.

A brief scare when he lofted the ball onto his own crossbar.

Jack Currie – 5.5

Struggled to contain the dangerous Kyreece Lisbie at times.

Inverted his position from the left but did not offer too much going forward.

Cameron Brannagan – 9

Absolutely everything needed from the captain in a derby.

Measured aggression, dangerous from set pieces – assisting directly for O’Donkor before whipping in the corner for the second – and brilliant passing whilst covering lots of ground.

Kai Andrews – 7

Some good footwork, neat passing and clever enough fouls to not get booked yet kill Reading’s momentum.

Aidomo Emakhu – 5

His first few touches let him down which set the tone for his performance.

Completed one successful dribble but squandered a big chance to score in the first half.

Aidomo Emakhu battles for the ball (Image: Darrell Fisher)

Tyler Goodrham – 7

Created one big chance and pulled off some nice flicks and neat turns.

Good delivery from set pieces as well.

Siriki Dembele – 7

A slow first half but won fouls in good areas in the second with some driving runs.

Mark Harris – 6

A quiet afternoon but won the free kick which resulted in the opener.

Substitutes:

Mo Missanga (64′) – 7.5

An impressive, instinctive finish for his second professional goal.

Sam Long (67′) – 6

Gatlin O’Donkor takes aim against Reading (Image: Darrell Fisher)

Gatlin O’Donkor (68′) – 8.5

Goal. Assist. Against the team he was released from as a kid.

What more could you want?

Louie Sibley (79′) – N/A

Brodie Spencer (80′) – N/A

As good an impact off the bench as you can get with the crucial first goal and an assist for the second.

Aaron Ramsey’s inspired substitutions saw Reading-born duo Gatlin O’Donkor and Mo Missanga score to put the U’s four points clear of their Thames Valley rivals.

A stalemate first half saw the Royals force saves from Simon Eastwood and Aidomo Emakhu go close before the Yellows found the quality needed to beat Leam Richardson’s side.

The win sees Oxford beat their county neighbours for the first time since 1999 and go 10 league matches unbeaten.

As Oxford grappled for control early on, it was Reading who hit out first, Kyreece Lisbie with a wicked ball across the face of goal which was not met.

Jack Marriott’s swing at goal moments later was cut out by Kai Andrews before Tyler Goodrham ran into trouble in the box after a neat turn.

Marriott tried again with a tame enough bicycle kick for Eastwood to claim.

A neat move from Jack Currie to Goodrham to Siriki Dembele saw the latter slot Emakhu into the box, but the Irishman was unable to compose himself and finish, Joel Pereira coming out to curtail the threat.

Michal Helik had a weak header saved from a free kick, the Royals retaliating later on as Eastwood parried away a Marriott attempt impressively.

Reading started the second half with vigour, hitting the post with a Padhraic O’Connor header, Eastwood stopping a flick at goal from Lisbie with the rebound.

Marriott headed wide from the resulting corner before Oxford picked up the pressure, Cameron Brannagan forcing a save from a powerful free kick on target.

Some strong penalty shouts followed from the home crowd before a scary moment from Ciaron Brown saw the centre back put the ball onto the top of his own crossbar.

Two inspired substitutes sparked Oxford into life, O’Donkor finding the bottom right corner after a clever short ball from Brannagan at a set piece.

Reading’s Jacob Brown struck the crossbar in response before the Yellows captain forced another save with a second thumping free kick.

The U’s then found their second, O’Donkor heading a deep Brannagan corner square to Missanga who swivelling and flicked the ball into the net.

Oxford now comfortable, they remained safe with the ball but with freedom to push for a third but had to settle for two, seeing out a big three points against their rivals from Berkshire.

Yellows: Eastwood, Kioso (Spencer 80), Helik (Long 67), Brown, Currie, Brannagan, Andrews, Goodrham (O’Donkor 68), Emakhu (Missanga 64), Harris (Sibley 79), Dembele

Royals: Pereira, Godwin-Malife, Dorsett, Rinomhota (Savage 84), Roberts, Marriott (Brown 70), Wing, Kyerewaa (Williams 80), O’Connor, Lisbie, Stokes (Reid 70)

Bookings: Kioso, Sibley; Stokes, O’Connor, Lisbie