Oxford United 1-1 Charlton Athletic: Late heartbreak for U’s

Cameron Brannagan dispatched the U’s first spot kick since returning to the second tier after Will Lankshear was fouled in the box.

It was late heartbreak though for Matt Bloomfield’s men, Ciaron Brown giving away a 91st-minute penalty which Charlie Kelman slotted away for the Addicks.

A drab first half saw just one shot come in from either side, Jamie Donley putting a free kick from the edge of the box just over the crossbar.

Oxford United celebrate Cameron Brannagan putting them into the lead against Charlton Athletic (Image: Oxford United)

Aidomo Emakhu found an path through to goal earlier on when Lankshear headed the ball centrally and into his path, but the Irish winger was shrugged off the ball by the retreating Harry Clarke.

Charlton held 60 per cent of the possession in the first period but the Yellows held their own, limiting the visitors to very little openings as they failed to manage a shot.

Lankshear held the ball up well when receiving long passes, but did not have quite enough support to find them near him in space.

Conor Coventry challenges Oxford United’s Jamie Donley to the ball (Image: Oxford United)

The second period provided slightly more promise, Michal Helik flicking over the bar from close range.

The unthinkable happened in the 57th minute when Oxford were awarded their first penalty in 675 days.

Lankshear was impeded as Sam Long crossed in, with the referee giving the U’s a penalty for the first time since the League One play-off semi-final second leg against Peterborough United in May 2024.

Oxford United v Charlton Athletic – Sky Bet Championship 2025/26 (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

Brannagan stepped up to take it and slotted it neatly into the bottom left corner to put United ahead.

The U’s almost doubled their lead moments later when Lankshear chipped the keeper, but Lloyd Jones came across to clear off the line.

Charlton began to pick up then, Tyreece Campbell firing a low shot at goal but seeing it blocked.

Still, Oxford tried to hit on the break, Przemyslaw Placheta fizzing a vicious ball across goal which no one was there to meet.

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As the Addicks began to float numerous balls into the box, they won a late penalty when Ciaron Brown grabbed the shirt of Jones who hit the deck.

Kelman stepped up to slot home, scoring after coming off the bench as he did in December’s reverse fixture.

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The draw brings Oxford’s winning streak to end but maintains an unbeaten run of four Championship fixtures.

Oxford: Cumming, Long, Helik, Brown, Currie, Konak (McDonnell 65), Brannagan, Mills (Vaulks 84), Donley (Spencer 77), Emakhu (Placheta 65), Lankshear (Prelec 77)

Charlton: Mannion, Ramsay (Kelman 60), Jones, Bell, Clarke, Docherty (Fullah 82), Coventry (Fevrier 68), Chambers (Rankin-Costello 82), Carey, Campbell, Leaburn

Bookings: Helik, Mills, Brown; Chambers, Clarke, Bell, Rankin-Costello