Norwich end losing home run but denied much-needed win by Oxford

Norwich finally brought their dismal run of home defeats to an end at the ninth time of asking – but they were still left deflated as a goal five minutes into stoppage time saw them held to a 1-1 draw by Oxford.

Having lost their opening seven Championship fixtures at Carrow Road, together with another reverse in the Carabao Cup, the Canaries looked to be heading towards a much-needed win in Phillippe Clement’s second game in charge.

They led going into added time courtesy of Jovon Makama’s well-taken first-half effort only to let a couple of points slip through their grasp when Oxford substitute Filip Krastev netted a dramatic equaliser.

The goal maintained 21st-placed Oxford’s five-point advantage over their hosts, who remained in desperate trouble with just Sheffield Wednesday below them in the table.

Makama had already tested visiting goalkeeper Jamie Cumming with a powerful low drive before breaking the deadlock after 29 minutes.

The ball dropped kindly for the big front man after the Canaries had won a couple of aerial challenges in the box and he took full advantage by blasting an unstoppable volley into the roof of the net.

Aside from Makama’s fourth goal since his summer switch from Lincoln, there was little for either set of supporters to get excited about in the opening period as two struggling sides largely cancelled each other out.

Oxford’s best moment saw home keeper Vladan Kovacevic tip Ciaron Brown’s back-post header over the bar while at the other end Cumming made a smart early stop to keep out Kenny McLean’s volley from an acute angle.

Josh Sargent wasted a glorious chance to double the home side’s lead early in the second period.

The American striker had just the keeper to beat from close range after being picked out by McLean’s sublime chipped pass but shot straight at Cumming when it looked easier to score.

Makama skied another good chance high and wide as the hosts continued to press before Emi Marcondes’ goal-bound effort was deflected just over.

Oxford boss Gary Rowett made a quadruple substitution midway through the half in an attempt to turn the tide and eventually got some reward for their efforts in the fifth minute of added time.

An attack down the right saw the ball worked into the penalty area where Krastev had all the space he needed to sidefoot his effort past the exposed Kovacevic.