AFC Wimbledon 0-1 Oxford United

Danny Kedwell misplaced his scoring boots at exactly the wrong time as Oxford stay top of the Blue Square Premier.

The striker – who has netted five goals in his last three games – missed a 71st minute penalty that cost the Dons a well-deserved point.

U’s keeper Ryan Clarke guessed right from twelve yards and his team-mates couldn’t dig Kedwell out of the hole as the leaders held on.

It took an own goal from Jay Conroy to deny the home side after the defender turned in Damian Batt’s 50th minute cross.

Manager Terry Brown refused to be downbeat despite missing the chance to really get into the early promotion picture.

“We’re not unhappy, how can you be after the start the boys have made?” said the manager.

“We’re still learning and it will take quite a while to really acclimatise to this level of football. You saw for yourself how strong Oxford are – we’ve played the two best teams in this league and neither were the better side.

“It took us a bit too long to adjust. But although we started quite slowly, second half we threw the kitchen sink at Oxford.

“We have had our chances in the second half and we really went for it. It wasn’t to be for us but we’re a penalty kick away from another wonderful result.

“What we desperately need is our midfielders chipping in with a few goals. It takes the pressure off a little but on the plus side our defence was agains magnificent.

“I’m really pleased with everything that’s happening at the club at the moment and defeat today hasn’t dented the confidence I have in these players.”

Luke Moore should have opened the scoring on the quarter hour mark but fired well over after Luke Foster’s mistake.

But Oxford then took over and should have gone in front when Adam Chapman headed inches wide after Dannie Bulman’s cross.

United manager Chris Wilder insisted after the game that his side should have been awarded two penalties – but they got the rub of the green after the break.

The Wimbledon backline didn’t deal with Oxford right-back Batt and his ball into the box was turned into his own net by unfortunate Conroy. A disaster for the Dons.

But they then surged forward and should have had a man advantage after the referee failed to send off Kevin Sandwith for his horror tackle on Lewis Taylor.

He got the penalty award wrong too – buying Paul Lorraine’s fall with Batt booked in the process.

Kedwell couldn’t convert from the spot and substitutes Jon Main and Ricky Wellard did little better – both missing glorious late chances to snatch a deserved point.

Oxford boss Wilder said: “If we think we are coming to this ground and have 90 minutes of pure domination then we’ve got another thing coming.

“We are the league leaders and we’re there to be shot at so this is a wonderful win for us.”