GEORGE Baldock delivered the killer blow with a long-range effort to give Oxford United a fourth successive win in all competitions.

The home side were some way below the form which saw them dazzle against Swindon Town in midweek.

After Liam Sercombe hit the crossbar early in the second half the game appeared to be drifting towards a goalless draw.

But ten minutes from time Baldock tried his luck from 25 yards and found the net via the far post to claim a hard-earned victory which sent them into Sky Bet League Two's top three.

The two changes in the United XI were both enforced by international call-ups.

Sam Slocombe replaced Benji Buchel in goal, while Danny Hylton came in for Callum O'Dowda, whose place on the wing was filled by Kemar Roofe.

On the bench, 16-year-old Canice Carroll was named in the squad for the first time.

The game was preceded by an impeccably-observed minute's silence for Ben Roberts, younger brother of U's striker James, who died last Saturday.

Wimbledon did not have a midweek fixture and their fresh legs seized the initiative early on.

The visitors had five efforts on goal in the opening ten minutes, the best of which was from Adebayo Azeez, who forced a smart save from Slocombe.

The striker must have thought he had scored midway through the half when he shot on the turn after a long throw, but Jake Wright was well positioned to make a goal-saving block.

Aside from Jordan Graham, who picked up where he left off in midweek, United lacked a spark.

It took them half an hour to have an effort on goal, when goalkeeper James Shea tipped a header from Hylton over the crossbar at a corner.

An injury to Semi Ajayi forced a change in the Wimbledon back four and as the half wore on more of their energy seemed to be devoted to frustrating United.

Late in the half substitute Karleigh Osborne got away with holding Johnny Mullins at a corner, while their time-wasting was penalised in stoppage time with a booking for Sean Rigg.

United were crying out for a clear chance - and it arrived seven minutes after the break.

Roofe cut in from the left and chipped a ball which saw Ryan Taylor's overhead kick blocked into Sercombe's path, but his fierce shot smacked the crossbar and rebounded to safety.

Graham continued to threaten on the right as United sought to build up a head of steam, but a succession of corners came to nothing.

Wimbledon threw Adebayo Akinfenwa on and with 20 minutes remaining the big striker stabbed over with a decent sight of goal after Lyle Taylor had helped a high ball on.

It was the cue for the visitors to grow in confidence and former United old boys Dannie Bulman and Sean Rigg fired warning shots over Slocombe's crossbar in quick succession.

United seemed to be a fading force, but ten minutes from time Baldock delivered a moment of inspiration.

With few options ahead of him, the right back opted to try his luck from range with a low shot which found the net via the post.

United had to defend well as Wimbledon launched a barrage in the closing stages, but the home side held firm to close out a victory.

Oxford Utd: Slocombe, Baldock, Mullins, Wright, Skarz, Graham, Sercombe, Lundstram, Roofe (Hoban 85), Hylton (MacDonald 64), Taylor.

Unused subs: Stevens, Dunkley, Carroll, Ruffels, George.

Wimbledon: Shea, Fuller, Robinson, Ajayi (Osborne 26), Meades, Rigg, Bulman, Reeves, Barcham, Taylor (Elliott 72), Azeez (Akinfenwa 54).

Unused subs: McDonnell, Kennedy, Francomb, Toonga.

Referee: Fred Graham (Essex).

Attendance: 6,391 (549 visitors).