Richards double salvages point for Burton
Justin Richards' double helped Burton to battle back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Oxford in a dramatic second half at the Kassam Stadium.
And it maintained the Brewers' strong form since the Spring, stretching their run to just one defeat in the last 12 games.
Alfie Potter fired the U's in front in first-half stoppage time with a low angled shot from Peter Leven's deft pass.
That was no more than Oxford deserved after they had dominated the first half.
Then seven minutes after the break Leven darted on to Lewis Guy's through ball with a well-timed run and lifted the ball over keeper Ross Atkins to make it 2-0 with his first goal for the club.
However, Burton pulled one back almost immediately.
Liam Davis fouled Jacques Maghoma inside the box and Richards calmly tucked away the penalty against his former club.
And on 66 minutes Richards turned the ball in from close range with a deflected shot at a corner to complete Burton's fightback.
Richards squandered two good chances to complete his hat-trick.
But it was Oxford's top scorer, James Constable, who was left the more frustrated, as he headed Davis's left-wing cross over the bar from just three yards in the dying minutes.
Oxford really should have scored before Potter's initial breakthrough, but they were denied by fine saves from Atkins, by Adam Bolder clearing off the line, and some ill-fortune, as Andy Corbett's sliced attempted clearance from Potter's low cross came back off his own post.
Source: DSG
Source: DSG