Oxford United 2, Southend United 3

The Shrimpers were locked level with the hosts when midfielder Gary Deegan was sent off in the 33rd minute after being shown two yellow cards.

But Blues were still able to come back from 2-1 down with Joe Pigott and Barry Corr both on target to secure a stunning and incredibly dramatic triumph at the Kassam Stadium.

Blues almost took an early lead when Ben Coker’s left wing cross picked out David Worrall but his firm header was impressively tipped over the crossbar by Oxford goalkeeeper Ryan Clarke.

The U’s soon hit back with Danny Hylton firing over from an acute angle and, in the 13th minute, they went in front with Callum O’Dawda on target.

The 19-year-old striker was set free in the left hand side of the penalty area by Hylton before staying ahead of Jerome Binnom-Williams and drilling a low, left footed shot in to the bottom right hand corner of the net.

However, Blues were to be behind for just 12 minutes as Worrall brought them back in to the game with his fifth goal of the season.

The influential wideman was picked out by a fantastic, left wing cross from Coker and made no mistake with a firm, downward header from eight yards.

Southend stayed territorially on top after drawing back level but their hopes of victory were hit hard in the 33rd minute when Deegan was dismissed.

The midfielder, who had earlier been booked for a cynical trip on Hylton, was sent off for a needless strong challenge on Michael Collins.

Oxford immediately set about making the most of their extra man with O’Dawda having a swerving, 20 yard shot tipped over by Blues’ goalkeeper Daniel Bentley.

However, Southend were not to be let off for long as the U’s went back in front from the resulting O’Dawda corner which saw Sam Long beat Bentley to the ball and head home from six yards.

But, three minutes after the break, the Shrimpers equalised for the second time after more excellent work by Coker down the left hand side.

His excellent cross picked out Pigott at the near post who stooped down low to head home from close range.

With the game again all square, Blues boss Phil Brown opted to make a double change in the 61st minute as Michael Timlin replaced Pigott and Barry Corr took the place of Jake Cassidy.

After the substitutions, Corr lined up on his own in attack but, after that, the Shrimpers struggled to hold on to the ball in the final third.

As a result, a third change soon followed with Jack Payne replacing Worrall.

But it was Oxford who threatened next and they came within a whisker of taking the lead for a third time in the 78th minute when Tarieq Holmes-Dennis’ well struck was superbly blocked by John White before Wes Burns’ follow up effort was volleyed off the goal-line by Coker.

However, after surviving the scares, Blues unbelievably hit back to take the lead with Coker again playing a prominent part.

The left-back impressively swapped passes with Payne down the left hand side below delivering a low cross which picked out Corr who scuffed a low, left footed shot in to the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Southend boss Phil Brown was sent to the stands amid the resulting celebrations but shell shocked Oxford should have levelled when substitute Jon Meads headed over from close range.

But Blues also wasted a great chance to seal their victory when Ryan Leonard played in Payne but he could only shoot wide of the left post.

The miss almost proved costly right at the death when Johnny Mullins went clean through on goal but his well struck shot was blocked by the advancing Bentley to secure the most unlikely of victories for the Shrimpers.