The U’s lost 1-0 to play-off chasing Wrexham last night thanks to Josh Windass’ goal in the first period.

The result came three days after another 1-0 defeat away at Derby County in which the Rams also scored the only goal of the game in the first 45 minutes.

After back-to-back defeats for the first time since early February, Oxford look destined for relegation with two Championship fixtures remaining.

Oxford United’s Will Lankshear and Michal Helik look dejected at the final whistle against Wrexham (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)

“I don’t know,” Bloomfield replied when asked why his team has struggled in the opening half of the last two matches.

“I need to give it some consideration before the weekend because it felt like both games have been a bit tentative. In possession, there were too many turnovers in the first half in both games, so we just need to find some calm.

(Image: Oxford United)

“We need to care about the situation, but we also need to be able to play the game.

“We need to find a freedom…because without that then you find you get tense and turn the ball over too many times.

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 just felt like that’s happened two games in a row so we need to give it some consideration before the weekend.

Oxford United’s Aidomo Emakhu and Wrexham’s Issa Kabore battle for the ball (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)

“We’ve been beat in two games, two games where there’s not a huge amount in it by two good strikes outside the box.

“The boys gave it everything, especially second half.

“There’s never a doubt they give everything that they’ve got and we’re really frustrated they weren’t able to find that breakthrough.

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Wrexham’s Josh Windass celebrates scoring against Oxford United (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)

“We get the ball wide to Stan Mills and Aidomo Emakhu; we’re really attacking and obviously there’s loads of nearly moments and unfortunately one didn’t fall to us to be able to stick it away.

“It’s two games in a row where we’ve thrown everything at it in the second half. We feel like we could have deserved something out of both games but unfortunately we haven’t got anything from either.

“Our supporters are going to be disappointed. I totally understand that. I’m disappointed.

Oxford United goalkeeper Jamie Cumming and Wrexham’s Sam Smith clash (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)

“We’re all feeling it right now. I think that’s entirely natural when you care about what you do so much and they care about their club so much.

“Where we are in the league is not comfortable. But it’s the reality and we have to deal with it.”

When asked whether he can keep Oxford in the second tier with two games left, Bloomfield replied: “We have to attack the game on Saturday and get the points on the board.

“Until we do that, it doesn’t matter what goes on elsewhere, we have to get our points on the board starting on Saturday.”

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