ON-THE-WHISTLE MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town 1-2 Oxford United

Despite Fankaty Dabo's first professional goal, Swindon Town fell to a 2-1 defeat in the A420 derby against Oxford United.

Dabo, one of three players on loan from Chelsea, gave Swindon the lead in the 19th minute but two goals in three minutes for Oxford United earned the Yellows the derby day bragging rights.

Liam Sercombe, who threatened Town with efforts for large periods, tapped in the equaliser in the 70th minute before Rob Hall secured the three points with a sensational effort that sailed over Lawrence Vigouroux and into the back of the net which sparked jubilant scenes from the away fans and dugout. 

The hotly-anticipated A420 derby just as the home fans would have liked. Midfielder Ryan Ledson took a whack to the nose with just two minutes played and had to change his shirt with his Oxford strip starting to resemble Swindon red. 

While Oxford were briefly down to 10 men, Swindon fashioned the first chance of the match but Nicky Ajose, on his third Town debut, could only manage a shot that drifted just wide of the United goal.

Oxford would answer back with an effort of their own not long after but Chris Maguire, who referred to Swindon as "a little club down the road" during the week, sliced an effort into the Town End which brought much joy, and less-than-savoury chanting, from the home support.

Two more half chances would follow, one for either side. First, Luke Norris curled a shot wide and soon after Ledson hit a half volley from distance straight into the arms of Lawrence Vigouroux.

The goal was coming though and, in the 19th minute, Dabo collected a left-sided low cross by Nicky Ajose, that was aimed towards Luke Norris, but landed at the feet of right-back Dabo who steadied himself and lashed a fine shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

It was his first goal, of any kind, since a goal in 2014 for the Chelsea Under 18s.

Neither side could fashion many clear-cut chances throughout the rest of the first half, although Oxford looked more likely to score, as Toni Martinez and Sercombe both came close.

Charlie Colkett would have Swindon's best effort without scoring but his side-foot shot in first-half stoppage time was well saved by Oxford keeper Simon Eastwood.

The second half would be much the same in terms of a lack of golden opportunities, although it did see the two goals that would turn the match on its head.

With 20 minutes left Sercombe tapped in a low Marvin Johnson to cross to level the scores and three minutes later Swindon found themselves behind.

Hall, who seemed to dribble the ball for an age, did everything he could to craft some space and, when satisfied, let fly with a rasping effort that no-one, especially goalkeeper Vigouroux, could do anything about.

Swindon did press for the all-important draw, with efforts from Ajose and Norris, but neither shot troubled Eastwood much in the Oxford goal and United took the three points back to Oxfordshire.

Salt was rubbed into the wounds when, in the 90th minute, Vigouroux fouled Kane Hemmings on the edge of the box and was red carded. Raphael Branco went in goal for stoppage time.

Swindon's run of winless league matches against Oxford, which stretches back to 2001, continues.