MATTY Taylor came off the bench to inflict Oxford United’s first away defeat of 2016, as Bristol Rovers took advantage of Sam Long’s dismissal.

The full back collected his second booking midway through the second half and almost immediately Rovers struck the telling blow, via a dreadful mistake from Liam Sercombe.

Matty Taylor cashed in, rubbing salt in the wounds for United, who believed they had shaken hands on a deal for the striker, only to see him sign a new deal at the Memorial Stadium.

United were not at their best, but up to the sending off they were firmly in the game thanks to Kane Hemmings’s superb first goal for the club.

His 25-yard effort late in the half cancelled out Jermaine Easter’s opener and set the visitors up to take something from the game.

But the dismissal, plus Tyler Roberts’s glaring miss late on, meant United tasted defeat on their travels for the first time since Wycombe Wanderers last December.

Hemmings came into the side in the only change from Tuesday’s 1-0 EFL Cup win at Birmingham City.

Wes Thomas, who came off with a groin problem at St Andrew’s, was not risked, so James Roberts came into the squad.

Rovers had 48 hours less preparation than their visitors and made five changes, with striker Matty Taylor among those to drop to the bench.

The refreshed hosts made a flying start and U’s goalkeeper Simon Eastwood tipped over a header from Mark McChrystal inside the opening minute.

Rory Gaffney fired just wide after John Lundstram was caught on the ball, while Cristian Montano also shot into the side netting in a one-sided start.

United were living dangerously, but appeared to have weathered the storm.

They began to see more of the ball, although Rovers goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall was untested.

Just as it seemed the home fans had been quietened down, Rovers struck in the 25th minute.

Aaron Martin was caught in two minds dealing with a through ball, which allowed Easter to nip in and slam a fierce shot past Eastwood from 15 yards.

Many of the sold-out away end were cheering an equaliser six minutes later.

For the first time Rovers’ back four looked vulnerable as Hemmings peeled to the back post, nodding down for Sercombe. The midfielder looked certain to score, but his header bounced just the wrong side of the post.

It was a rare moment of promise for the U’s, who were let off the hook by Chris Lines’s shot off-target after Lundstram was robbed once more.

But the visitors have made a habit of scoring eye-catching goals at the Memorial Stadium – and Hemmings added another to the list three minutes before the break.

Collecting Ryan Taylor’s knock-down 30 yards out, the striker got the ball out of his feet before skimming a low shot in off the far post.

Considering the balance of the first half, United will have been by far the happier side to go in level at the break.

They had the clearer chances early in the second half.

Ryan Taylor’s shot was blocked into Sercombe’s path and although he could not get the ball out of his feet, the midfielder teed up Chris Maguire to test Mildenhall.

There was little between the two sides, but midway through the second half the pendulum swing to Rovers.

Long, already on a booking, caught Montano and collected his second yellow card.

It took just three minutes for Rovers to take advantage.

Sercombe, filling in at right back, made the disastrous decision to head a cross back into the six-yard box – a chance Matty Taylor pounced on to score on the turn.

Youngsters Dan Crowley, Joe Rothwell and Roberts were all introduced, but Rovers looked far more dangerous.

Matty Taylor had a shot well blocked by Nelson, while Montano was well kept out by Eastwood.

But having survived, United should have equalised in stoppage time.

The net was gaping for Roberts at the back post, only for the teenager to sky Sercombe’s cross from close range.

United heads were in hands across the pitch, knowing it was their last chance to salvage a point.

Bristol Rovers (4-4-2): Mildenhall, J Clarke, Lockyer, McChrystal, Brown, Bodin (James 66), Lines, O Clarke, Montano, Gaffney (Harrison 58), Easter (Taylor 58).

Unused subs: Puddy, Leadbitter, Gosling, Moore.

Booked: Lines, Gaffney, J Clarke, O Clarke.

Oxford United (4-4-2): Eastwood, Long, Nelson, Martin, Skarz, MacDonald, Sercombe, Lundstram, Maguire, Taylor, Hemmings.

Subs used: Crowley (MacDonald 66), Rothwell (Maguire 74), T Roberts (Hemmings 80).

Unused subs: Buchel, Ruffels, Welch-Hayes, T Roberts, J Roberts.

Booked: Long, Martin.

Sent off: Long.

Referee: Charles Breakspear (Surrey).

Attendance: 10,053 (1,283 visitors).