Yellows down the Bees in pre-season after late O

Oxford United managed a late 2-1 win against League Two side Barnet in their second friendly of pre-season.

The U's took an early lead through Stan Mills before Adam Senior equalised in the second half.

Aaron Ramsey's men managed to find a late winner after a well-battled contest, Gatlin O'Donkor slotting home to secure victory for United.

The U's came flying out of the blocks and very quickly opened the scoring.

Some effective one-touch play saw Will Vaulks find Mark Harris on the halfway line, the striker flicking it in behind to Mills who darted towards goal and slotted the ball calmly past Taye Ashby-Hammond.

Barnet tried to respond with a blocked effort before Harris saw a shot of his own saved from the edge of the penalty area.

A half typified by momentum, Oxford found their own period of promise as the Bees retreated, Harris getting into some good areas but unable to be found.

Stan Mills celebrates after scoring against Barnet in pre-season (Image: Oxford United)

Ramsey's men survived a penalty scare almost half an hour in when Vaulks went in late on a home attacker only for the referee to wave it away.

Barnet then began to find their feet, Simon Eastwood impressively saving a shot from Oisin Gallagher before Brodie Spencer made two brilliant last-ditch tackles to keep the opposition at bay.

Again, Spencer put in a good challenge in the box before Eastwood made a double save to prevent a Barnet equaliser.

Two Idris Kanu long shots flew over the crossbar for the hosts before Mills almost capitalised on a scare from the keeper, Ashby-Hammond just about recovering after misjudging a bouncing long ball from Eastwood.

Senior spurned a big chance for the Bees at the back post which kept the scores level at the break.

A cagey start to the second period led to the Barnet equaliser.

With space to run into on the left, Gallagher got to the by-line and found Senior in the box who swept the ball into the roof of the Yellows' net.

The defender put another effort over the bar shortly after his goal before United tried to hit back through a saved Aidomo Emakhu shot.

After a good run in behind, a big chance fell to young Leo Snowden who was one-on-one with the keeper, Ashby-Hammond diving to save the winger's effort on goal.

Jack Maskell sent a striker over the bar for the hosts before O'Donkor bagged his second in as many games, latching onto Ruben Roosken's square ball to secure the win.

Tyler Goodrham in action for Oxford United (Image: Oxford United)

One more chance came for the hosts which Eastwood spectacularly stopped, saving a close-range strike from Kabongo Tshimanga.

Barnet: Ashby-Hammond, Collinge, Tavares, Kenlock, Senior, Ofoborh, Gallagher, Kanu, Noel Williams, Lakin, Tshimanga

Oxford: Eastwood, Spencer (Kioso 61), Golding (Helik 61), Brown (Long 61), Currie (Leigh 61), Vaulks (Brannagan 61), Bradney (McDonnell 61), Mills (Emakhu 45), Goodrham (Sibley 61), Snowden (Roosken 61), Harris (O'Donkor 61)