The U’s were defeated in regular time for the first time in over two months, Carl Piergianni’s fourth-minute header enough for Boro to edge past Aaron Ramsey’s men.

The Yellows head coach made 10 changes from the victory over Reading, with 15 of the 20-man squad under the age of 23.

19-year-old Aaron Lacey made his senior Oxford debut from the start, whilst fellow academy graduates Josh Holton, Jack Lee and Maeson Vaughan were handed senior debuts from the bench.

It was a rude awakening for the young U’s who found themselves behind after four minutes, Ben Broggio hanging up a cross for Boro captain Piergianni who headed into the far corner.

Oxford United youngsters James Golding (left) and Aaron Lacey (right) (Image: Darrell Fisher)

A chance for Gatlin O’Donkor was blocked by Saxon Earley after a perfect ball from Tyler Goodrham before Stevenage offered a threat with Phoenix Patterson seeing a shot saved.

Some great defending from Greg Leigh saw the left back nick the ball away from Tugra Turhan in the box, the Turkish youth international swivelling to fire wide moments later.

The visitors then squandered a huge chance to double their lead, Turhan driving excellently in the box at the by-line and cutting the ball to Broggio who shanked the ball over the bar from a central position.

Harrison Bradney forced a good save from Tommy Setford late in the first half.

Early promise showed from the U’s in the second period, Goodrham finding Leigh with a free kick, the defender heading over the bar.

The Yellows goalkeeper was called into action again in response, palming away Louis Thompson’s dangerous effort.

Boro came again, Patterson volleying wide of the mark at the far post.

O’Donkor almost equalised with a header if not for a brilliant save from Setford at point blank range, James Golding clearing a shot just in front of the goal line two minutes later.

A poor effort wide from Luka Lynch and a shot headed away from Aidomo Emakhu saw Oxford pick up the pressure late on before Eastwood denied Wanya Marcal with a save.

Luka Lynch on the ball against Stevenage (Image: Darrell Fisher)

Late U’s possession bore no fruit as a lack of quality hindered the hosts, Josh Magennis having the final attempt of the game from range, his shot flying over the crossbar.

Oxford look ahead to their Jersey Mike’s Trophy game on Tuesday night against Cheltenham Town at the Kassam Stadium.

Yellows: Eastwood, Long, Golding, Lacey, Leigh (Roosken 63), Bradney (Holton 77), Goodrham, Missanga (Vaughan 90), Lynch (Lee 77), Snowden (Emakhu 63), O’Donkor

Boro: Setford, Piergianni, Phillips, Earley, Vancooten, Casey, Sanderson (Marcal 71), Turhan (Mellon 54), Thompson (Taylor 77), Broggio (Campbell 71), Patterson (Magennis 77)

Bookings: Goodrham; Piergianni, Earley, Phillips