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Will Lankshear's first league goal since New Year's Day put Oxford United 2-0 up West Bromwich Albion's Championship relegation fears intensified as they lost at fellow strugglers Oxford United. The Baggies, who sacked boss Eric Ramsay after nine games in charge following Tuesday's 1-1 with Charlton Athletic, remain a point above the drop zone. But their winless run is now up to 11 league games as Oxford's first victory in seven Championship matches moved them three points off West Brom and two off 22nd-placed Leicester City. Stanley Mills put the hosts in front as he headed home Jamie Donley's corner from six yards out before Will Lankshear rose to head in Cameron Brannagan's floated free-kick as the hosts had a deserved 2-0 lead after 26 minutes. The Baggies got a stroke of luck soon after when substitute Oliver Bostock's shot from the edge of the box was deflected into the Oxford net to cut the lead. Krystian Bielik should have levelled with six minutes to go but he headed Alex Mowatt's free kick wide. But Oxford held on for a deserved victory - just a second win for boss Matt Bloomfield since he was appointed in early January - that gives the U's hope of staying in the second tier for a third successive season. James Morrison stepped up to take over first-team affairs after Eric Ramsay was sacked on Tuesday Having seen Leicester City lose 2-0 at home to Norwich City in the lunchtime kick-off both sides knew a win would be of huge significance in their survival fights. The U's started the better as Myles Peart-Harris and Donley had chances deflected wide before Mills stretched to guide Donley's corner past Max O'Leary - Oxford's first home goal since Boxing Day that ended a club-record five home matches without a goal. West Brom's afternoon got worse as first Mikey Johnston limped off midway through the first half in some discomfort before Lankshear rose highest to head in the second from a similar distance to Mills. Johnston's replacement Bostock was fortunate when he made it 2-1 as Jamie Cumming was left stranded in the Oxford goal after the shot took a big deflection off Brannagan just as it looked as though the Baggies might crumble. It fired up the visitors who began to put some dangerous balls into the Oxford box, but there was little final product for interim boss James Morrison's side before the break. Josh Maja had saw a weak header bounce into Cumming's arms five minutes after the interval while Isaac Price had a shot blocked. West Brom upped the pressure as the half began to draw to a close, but for all their possession there was little incision, although Aune Heggebo wasted a decent chance with nine minutes left. Soon after Bielik should have earned his side a point but missed a good headed chance, while Oxford substitute Aidomo Emakhu snatched at a chance to make the game safe when he had more time than he realised. West Brom's 13th away loss of the season is the most in the Championship this season - they have not won away from home since the start of October. Oxford United head coach Matt Bloomfield told BBC Radio Oxford: "It's really important that we got that first home win. "It's really important that we give our supporters something to cheer about, be proud of their team about and something that we can really get our teeth stuck into. "Today did feel like a big day, it was only three points, but it felt like it was a big day for us and I'm so proud to be stood here as the winning manager. "If you look at last season the survival was built on set-piece goals and we need to do better at that - we need to do better at goals in general. But set-pieces are a great threat for us, so really pleased that we got two from that today. " West Bromwich Albion interim head coach James Morrison told BBC WM: "It's not acceptable. "I thought we started the game on top in the first 15 minutes, but we knew what game plan was going to come and we didn't deal with it. "They've got to take responsibility for that - two balls in the box, two goals in the first 30 minutes. How are you supposed to have a chance of winning a game away from home? "Then when we were around the box we weren't creative enough, weren't brave enough. It's deeply disappointing. " After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 28th February 2026 at 16: 59 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Matt Bloomfield Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: James Morrison Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Matt Bloomfield Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: James Morrison Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions Oxford are unbeaten in their last five home league games against West Brom (W3 D2), though their 1-1 draw last season is the only time they’ve hosted them this century. Following their 2-1 win in November, West Brom are looking to complete the league double over Oxford for the first time since 1990-91. Oxford have failed to score in each of their last five Championship home games, their longest run without a home goal in their league history. West Brom are winless in their last 13 away league games (D2 L11), while no side has lost more Championship away games this term than the Baggies (12). Only bottom side Sheffield Wednesday (11) have failed to score in more different Championship home games this season than Oxford (8). Match ends, Oxford United 2, West Bromwich Albion 1. Second Half ends, Oxford United 2, West Bromwich Albion 1. Krystian Bielik (West Bromwich Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Foul by Krystian Bielik (West Bromwich Albion). Mark Harris (Oxford United) wins a free kick on the right wing. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match because of an injury Ciaron Brown (Oxford United). Daryl Dike (West Bromwich Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Ciaron Brown (Oxford United). Corner, Oxford United. Conceded by Charlie Taylor. Foul by Charlie Taylor (West Bromwich Albion). Nik Prelec (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Fourth official has announced 6 minutes of added time. Foul by Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba (West Bromwich Albion). Sam Long (Oxford United) wins a free kick on the right wing. Attempt saved. Aidomo Emakhu (Oxford United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Max O'Leary (West Bromwich Albion). Assisted by Cameron Brannagan. Substitution, Oxford United. Mark Harris replaces Jamie Donley. Attempt missed. Krystian Bielik (West Bromwich Albion) header from very close range misses to the left. Assisted by Alex Mowatt with a cross following a set piece situation. Daryl Dike (West Bromwich Albion) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Ciaron Brown (Oxford United). Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.