Play-off chasers Hull held to a draw at Oxford

Mo Belloumi scored inside four minutes of his return as play-off chasers Hull drew 1-1 at relegation-battlers Oxford.

The Algerian winger made it a dream start for the Tigers when he ran on to Semi Ajayi’s long ball down the right, outpaced U’s left-back Ruben Roosken then cut in and shot low past Jamie Cumming.

Oxford equalised 10 minutes later, Cameron Brannagan converting a penalty after Charlie Hughes fouled Will Lankshear from behind as the striker broke into the box.

Substitute Mark Harris almost won it for the hosts at the end in stoppage time, but prodded his shot the wrong side of a post from a right-wing cross by Stan Mills.

The result was not ideal for either side, yet added another vital point to both sides’ tally.

Both teams had key players returning from international duty, with Jamie Donley again in United’s line-up after scoring for Northern Ireland against Wales and Welshman Harris back on the bench after netting one of the spot-kicks in penalty shoot-out exit against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

City made five changes, one of them having goalkeeper Dillon Phillips taking over from Ivor Pandur, with head coach Sergej Jakirovic concerned at the amount of travelling the Croatian had undertaken.

Belloumi returned from a hamstring injury for his first start of the year, while Hughes was back after suspension.

Although Oxford started on the front foot, and Lankshear saw an early shot saved, it was the visitors who struck first as Belloumi silenced the home fans with his superb individual opener.

When Hughes recklessly brought down Lankshear as he burst into the area, and Oli Langford pointed to the spot, homes supporters began baying for a red card, but the referee took into account a covering defender and showed Hughes a yellow.

It was a bit like London buses with penalties for Oxford. They had not been awarded one for nearly two years until the last home match against Charlton before their second in succession at the Kassam Stadium.

Brannagan converted it confidently, firing right-footed to the left of Phillips’ dive.

It remained open and even for the remainder of the first half. Matt Bloomfield’s men had a chance when Lankshear nodded Mills’ right-wing cross over the bar, and, at the other end, Cumming saved well from Kyle Joseph after Ciaron Brown’s poor pass was picked off.

The impressive Brannagan tried his luck from 25 yards early in the second half and Phillips was at full stretch to save high to his left to keep it out.

Oxford did the more pressing for the remainder of the fiercely-contested game, without finding a breakthrough, as both teams had to settle for a hard-earned point.