WANDERERS (4-2-3-1).

JOEL DIXON…6.5.

A few questions have been asked about his positioning for the goal – but generally speaking Dixon made a handful of decent stops and used the ball well.

GETHIN JONES…6.

Improved second half but did not make the most of acres of space down the right. One of the warriors, so won’t let a tough afternoon affect him.

RICARDO SANTOS…6.5.

A couple of shaky moments defending his own goal against a hard-working and physical U’s front three. Won the battle. Just.

GEORGE JOHNSTON…6.5.

Like Santos, gave away more opportunities than he would have liked, but regained his authority after the break to see out the win, playing left-back at the end.

DECLAN JOHN…6.

Preferred to Liam Gordon and had a relatively comfortable return to the side, even if he looked to be tiring in the second half. Replaced by Baptiste.

MJ WILLIAMS…6.5.

Maybe didn’t see as much of the ball as he did against Lincoln but always there to break up attacks and give the centre halves a bit of protection.

JOSH SHEEHAN…7.

Rarely wasted the ball and his set piece delivery is a definite bonus this season. The Wales international rolled his sleeves up in defence too, which was great to see.

LLOYD ISGROVE…6.5.

Definitely a day of substance over style for the winger, who had to work hard out of possession to keep Branagan and Seddon quiet down Oxford’s left.

ANTONI SARCEVIC…7.5.

Really led by example on an afternoon where it was all hands to the pump. Influential in attack early on and covered every blade of grass for the cause after that.

DAPO AFOLAYAN…7.

Was challenged to add goals to his game and is doing exactly that. Wonderful finish aside, he carries the ball better than anyone has done at Bolton for years.

EOIN DOYLE…7.

Touched the ball 19 times but one of them ended up in the back of the net. Otherwise, tracked down Oxford’s defenders relentlessly.

Subs: Baptiste 71 (for John) – Important switch at a time where Wanderers were running out of steam, fast.

Kachunga 81 (for Isgrove) – Another touch of experience in the final stages.

Lee 88 (for Sarcevic) – Nearly scored with his first touch.

Not used: Gilks, Delfouneso, Brockbank, Thomason.

Oxford (4-3-3): Stevens; Forde, McNally, Thorniley, Seddon; Sykes, Rodriguez, Brannagan; Winnall, Taylor, White.

Subs: McGuane 67 (for Sykes), Holland 77 (for Winnall), Agyei 87 (for Rodriguez).

Not used: Eastwood, Moore, Mousinho, Cooper.

Referee: Neil Hair – 4/10. Neither set of fans seemed impressed with the Cambridgeshire referee, who certainly has some history with Bolton. Did not spot an obvious handball for Taylor’s goal and had a few curious moments where he seemed oblivious to his own linesman in the first half. Erratic, to say the very least.

Attendance: 15,073 (819).