Baldock late show rescues Oxford
Kevin Ellison put a dent in Oxford's improved recent run as Morecambe earned a 1-1 draw at the Kassam Stadium.
But Oxford were relieved to finish with a point, as an 87th-minute equaliser from George Baldock got them out of jail.
Baldock dribbled past three players and then fired in to the top left corner from 18 yards for a superb individual goal.
The U's had been hoping to record a third straight clean sheet, but Ellison punished them for not closing down Jack Redshaw on the edge of the box in only the 11th minute.
Goalkeeper Ryan Clarke could only beat out Redshaw's fierce angled shot, and 36-year-old Ellison showed great determination to get to the loose ball ahead of his marker and follow up from seven yards.
Ellison had also scored the only goal of the game when Morecambe won the corresponding fixture at the Globe Arena in August.
Oxford twice went close to an equaliser just before half-time.
Danny Hylton forced a save with a low shot on the turn from Baldock's cross and Josh Ruffels lopped a header against the crossbar.
Oxford hardly threatened Morecambe's well-drilled defence in the second half, but Baldock struck a fine solo effort to snatch his side a point.
Source: PA
