The relegation-fighting Yellows suffered another big blow to their Championship survival hopes, leaving them five points away from safety with two games left to play.

Matt Bloomfield’s men were poor on the first period before putting the pressure on late with 16 second-half shots, but failed to trouble the visiting goalkeeper.

The defeat came as Oxford celebrated 40 years since their historic Milk Cup victory, with their Wembley heroes and trophy paraded around the pitch at half-time.

Brodie Spencer in action for Oxford United (Image: Oxford United)

Brief spells of possession came for both teams early on before Wrexham missed a big chance, Sam Smith putting wide a wicked cross into the box from close range.

Dominic Hyam headed a corner over the bar the before Windass fired wide from the edge of the box after taking on Michal Helik on the counter attack.

Video thoughts as #OxfordUnited stare down the barrel of relegation to League One after defeat to Wrexham. 😖

Two games to go with hope almost completely gone, fate now out of The U’s hands.#oufc 🟡 pic.twitter.com/fRalCjuBZz

— malachi (@MalachiObrey) April 21, 2026

It did not take much longer for the 32-year-old to get his goal, though, Smith playing the ball to Windass in the middle with the no.10 striking it low into the bottom left corner from the edge of the area.

Stan Mills in action for Oxford United (Image: Oxford United)

Oxford’s first real chance came minutes later when Myles Peart-Harris’ ball in ran all the way to Stan Mills whose shot near the back post was blocked.

A late poke at goal from Callum Doyle was gathered by Jamie Cumming to end the first half.

Wrexham began the second half the stronger, though Helik saw a header caught by Ward, Cumming then pulling off a good save at the other end to deny a Wrexham header.

Myles Peart-Harris challenges for the ball against Dominic Hyam (Image: Oxford United)

The addition of Aidomo Emakhu brought some much-needed pace to the left wing, his cross finding the head of Mills whose header was deflected over.

A good chance fell for Mark Harris who brought the ball down and fizzed it past the post from inside the area before Kieffer Moore was played in behind at the other end and saw an effort deflected over after a nick off Ciaron Brown.

Callum Doyle nodded the corner over at the back post before United began to put the pressure on.

Corners were won by Mills and Emakhu, with shouts for a penalty as Brown had his shirt completely hauled off in the box.

A volley from Emakhu flew over the bar before Helik also headed over.

Oxford United’s Cameron Brannagan on the ball (Image: Oxford United)

The U’s Irish winger had one more go which was saved as the hosts fell to defeat.

Oxford: Cumming, Long (ter Avest 67), Helik, Brown, Spencer (Donley 88), Konak (Harris 67), McDonnell (Vaulks 56), Mills, Brannagan, Peart-Harris (Emakhu 56), Lankshear

Wrexham: Ward, Hyam, Scarr, Doyle, Dobson, Longman (Kabore 56), James, Rathbone (O’Brien 70), Thomason, Windass (Cleworth 90+3), Smith (Moore 71)

Bookings: Emakhu, Mills; Longman, Kabore

Football Video Support – a version of VAR which is used in other sports – was proposed by Professional Game Match Officials at the EFL’s annual meeting in March.

FVS would provide managers with two reviews per match, with the referee presented with different camera angles at a monitor by the side of the pitch. The manager would keep a review if successful.

However, the Press Association has been told that the introduction of the system was opposed by the majority of clubs following a subsequent EFL survey.

It is understood goal-line technology will continue to be used in the Championship next season and could be extended to League One, pending a vote on fully costed proposals in June.

Oxford United are currently fighting to retain their Championship status with only three games left of the season.

Oxford United captain Cameron Brannagan consults referee Sam Allison (Image: Jason Dawson)

The U’s face Wrexham this evening and are currently five points away from safety after a 1-0 defeat to Derby County last weekend.

VAR was introduced to the Premier League in 2019, but a recent survey by the Football Supporters’ Association discovered that three-quarters of top-flight fans are against its use.

Nearly 8,000 supporters, just over half of whom attend in excess of 15 home games a season, took part in the poll to assess attitudes to the technology.

The results demonstrated just how unpopular it has become, with more than 97 per cent of respondents opposing the statement that VAR makes watching football more enjoyable, while more than 90 per cent disagreed that it has made the matchgoing experience better.

Asked if they support the use of VAR in football, meanwhile, 75.71 per cent said they do not, with more than 70 per cent disagreeing that it has improved the overall accuracy of refereeing decisions. More than 90 per cent also believe the technology has removed the spontaneous joy of goal celebrations.