A CONTROVERSIAL late penalty saw Oxford United lose at home for only the second time since March as Bristol Rovers came from behind to take the points.

Kemar Roofe took his tally for the season to 18 goals with a close-range finish a minute into the second half.

But Matty Taylor's header quickly levelled the game for Rovers.

United made most of the running in search of a winning goal, but instead it came at the other end.

United goalkeeper Sam Slocombe appeared to get a hand on the ball as Jermaine Easter ran past him, but the referee awarded a penalty.

Ellis Harrison took advantage, as the U's missed out on the chance to pull further clear of the chasing pack in Sky Bet League Two.

Boss Michael Appleton made three changes to his XI, reverting back to the side which began the win against Swansea City a week earlier.

Sam Slocombe, Joe Skarz and Ryan Taylor returned, as Benji Buchel, Jordan Evans and Patrick Hoban dropped to the bench.

Rovers, backed by more than 2,000 visiting fans, worked hard to press their hosts high up the pitch from the first whistle.

Up against five men in midfield, United struggled to find their rhythm early on.

Ryan Taylor rose to head a tough chance just wide from a Chris Maguire cross in the tenth minute, but otherwise Rovers goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall was not worried.

At the other end Matty Taylor, one of four ex-United players in the Pirates squad, headed a good chance over the bar after a corner was flicked on.

It took almost half an hour for United to impose themselves.

A swerving long-range effort from John Lundstram which curled just wide started a bright spell, which saw Liam Sercombe have a shot deflected over.

But United's momentum was slowed by an enforced change, as Ryan Taylor came off with a knock and was replaced by Callum O'Dowda.

The two sides mustered just one shot on target between them before the break - a header from Tom Lockyer at a corner.

But Rovers came close ten minutes before half-time, when Alex MacDonald was in the right place to block a header from Matty Taylor at the back post.

The game was going nowhere fast, but within a minute of the restart United were ahead.

George Baldock won a corner, which was pulled back to Lundstram.

The midfielder fired a first-time shot into the six-yard box, where Roofe was on hand to tap home.

It was just the shot in the arm United needed, but the lead lasted only six minutes.

Joe Skarz was lured by a cross-field pass, where Daniel Leadbitter beat him and then swung in a superb cross for Matty Taylor to glance a header into the net.

The goals made the game a far better spectacle and around the hour mark United built up a head of steam.

A succession of corners pinned Rovers back, although the closest United came to retaking the lead was a sharp turn and shot from MacDonald which hit a defender and bounced wide.

Rovers were a threat on the break and 20 minutes from time carved out a golden opportunity to score.

Rory Gaffney got the better of Jake Wright out wide to get a clear run on goal.

As Johnny Mullins came across to cover, the striker squared to Taylor, who blazed a shot over with only Sam Slocombe to beat.

United looked the side more likely to score and ten minutes from time had what looked a strong penalty shout on O'Dowda turned down.

With the next attack it took a brilliant one-handed save from Mildenhall to keep out a curling long-range shot from Lundstram.

But two minutes from the end of normal time, United were hit with a sucker punch.

Jermaine Easter ran on to a through ball and went down as he went past Slocombe, who appeared to get a hand on the ball.

But referee Nicholas Kinseley pointed to the spot, where Harrison smashed in from 12 yards.

United pushed in vain during five minutes added on, but could not find a way through.

Oxford Utd (4-4-2): Slocombe, Baldock, Mullins, Wright, Skarz, MacDonald, Sercombe, Lundstram, Maguire, Roofe, Taylor.

Subs used: O'Dowda (Taylor 34), Hoban (Maguire 79), Hylton (MacDonald 79).

Unused subs: Buchel, Dunkley, Evans, Ruffels.

Booked: Maguire.

Bristol Rov (3-5-2): Mildenhall, Parkes, Lockyer, J Clarke, Leadbitter, Mansell (O Clarke 68), Sinclair, Lines, Brown, Taylor (Easter 76), Gaffney (Harrison 85).

Unused subs: Preston, McChrystal, Montano, Bodin.

Booked: Lockyer.

Referee: Nicholas Kinseley (Essex).

Attendance: 9,492 (2,359 visitors).