TWO goals in three minutes saw Oxford United come from behind to preserve their 16-year unbeaten run against bitter rivals Swindon Town, who finished with ten men.

A first Robins win since March 2001 looked on the cards when the derby entered the closing stages with Fankaty Dabo’s precise shot still the difference.

But the visitors, who had recovered from a slow start to control the game, transformed the contest with a quickfire double.

Liam Sercombe equalised from close range and with the away fans still celebrating, Rob Hall put United in front with a ferocious 20-yard strike.

Goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux, sent off in United’s 2-0 win at the Kassam Stadium in September, again failed to see out the 90 minutes, seeing red late in stoppage-time for a foul on Kane Hemmings.

It ensured a seventh win in eight meetings with Swindon and completed a superb week for Michael Appleton’s men, following on from victories in the Emirates FA Cup and Checkatrade Trophy.

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  • Chris Maguire enjoys the win after the full-time whistle

Toni Martinez was handed his first start as top-scorer Kane Hemmings dropped to the bench in one of the three changes from the midweek win over Bradford City.

United were in containment mode early on, with Ryan Ledson taking a bang on the nose in the first 60 seconds.

The visitors were down to ten men for six minutes while physio Andrew Proctor stemmed the bleeding.

Nicky Ajose side-footed a good chance wide from 18 yards before Ledson belatedly returned.

The U’s midfielder had their first sight of goal, guiding a 25-yard volley straight at goalkeeper Vigouroux just before the quarter-hour mark.

Swindon had not scored against their bitter rivals in the last five meetings, but Dabo ended their five and a half year wait in the 19th minute.

It was a mess from United’s point of view. Chey Dunkley twice failed to clear his lines, allowing Ajose to get in down the left.

The striker’s cross did not appear menacing, but an off-balance John Lundstram could not prevent it reaching Dabo 20 yards out. The wing back took a touch to steady himself, before firing low into the far corner.

Swindon’s five-man midfield were able to find space with ease in the opening half-hour and the hosts were also far more physical than in September’s encounter at the Kassam Stadium.

Luke Norris and Lloyd Jones collected yellow cards for late challenges which left Lundstram and Chris Maguire writhing in pain respectively.

Maguire had started wide on the left, but a switch to move him into a central role – with Rob Hall going the other way – changed the flow of the game.

In the final 15 minutes of the half United were the better side and began to impose themselves.

Martinez fired wide after a sharp turn, while Sercombe had a hat-trick of efforts.

After having one toe-punted effort saved by Vigouroux, he lashed another wide from Ledson’s pass.

The midfielder’s third chance, in the 40th minute, was by far the clearest. Hall worked wonders out wide to beat three men and slip Sercombe in on goal, but a heavy touch allowed Vigouroux to smother.

Swindon looked they were holding out for the break, but in stoppage-time they should have doubled the lead.

Dunkley allowed a high ball to bounce and then headed straight to Norris, who slipped Charlie Colkett in. To the immense relief of the U’s fans behind the goal, Eastwood made a crucial block.

Both sides had chances early in the second half.

James Brophy slalomed into the area before Eastwood ushered him behind, while at the other end Sercombe’s ball across the six-yard box was just out of Martinez’s reach.

United’s regained the control they had before the break, but found Swindon a tough nut to crack.

Phil Edwards was the visitors’ unlikely threat, finding acres if space on the right flank.

The full back had two efforts blocked in quick succession, before his cross was glanced wide by Sercombe.

It looked a bad miss, but a minute later United’s No 8 made amends.

Maguire played in Johnson, who got to the byline and fizzed in a low cross which hit Sercombe two yards out and trickled over the line.

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  • Rob Hall celebrates his stunning strike

It caused bedlam in the away end, which exploded with delight again three minutes later.

A United counter-attack found Hall on the edge of the box. The winger cut in on to his left foot before smashing a 20-yard shot just under the crossbar which flew past a stunned Vigouroux.

There was still plenty of time left for Swindon to muster a response, but the closest they came was a low shot from Norris which Eastwood kept out.

The hosts’ misery was complete in stoppage-time, when Vigouroux was dismissed for clattering Hemmings on the edge of the box.

Swindon Tn (3-5-2): Vigouroux, Branco, Thompson, Jones, Dabo, Colkett, Kasim (Thomas 76), Gladwin (Goddard 80), Brophy, Ajose, Norris.

Unused subs: Henry, Conroy, Rodgers, Starkey, Hylton.

Booked: Norris, Jones, Gladwin, Dabo.

Sent off: Vigouroux.

Oxford Utd (4-4-2): Eastwood, Edwards, Dunkley, Nelson, Johnson, Sercombe, Lundstram, Ledson, Maguire, Hall, Martinez.

Subs used: Hemmings (Martinez 80), McAleny (Hall 90).

Unused subs: Stevens, Skarz, Raglan, Rothwell, Ruffels.

Booked: Edwards, Hall.

Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire).

Attendance: 10,658 (2,700 visitors).