Leven wonder-goal gives Oxford victory
Peter Leven struck a sensational second-half winner and Ryan Clarke saved a late penalty as Oxford beat Port Vale 2-1.
Ex-Chelsea and Leeds centre back Duberry put the U's in front after 11 minutes when he glanced in Paul McLaren's corner for his first goal since joining Oxford in the summer.
With the pace and trickery of Alfie Potter and Robbie Hall, the U's stayed on the front foot. Hall had a low drive saved, and Leven's curling shot just arced beyond the far post.
But Port Vale came back into it before half-time and only two brilliant blocks in quick succession by Jake Wright denied Marc Richards.
The Valiants did level though after 62 minutes with a neat interpassing move. Doug Loft released Tom Pope on the right and Richards side-footed home his low cross.
Two minutes later Leven chipped goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson from 45 yards to put Oxford back in front in style. The keeper was not that far out of his goal but the lob was so inch-perfect that he was helpless to see it float over his reach and in.
Yet Vale had an opportunity to salvage a point when Duberry tripped Richards in the box nine minutes from time.
Richards picked himself up to take the spot kick himself, but Ryan Clarke dived to his right to pull off a superb save.
Clarke made another vital save from substitute Ben Williamson in the last minute as United held on.
Source: DSG
Source: DSG