<\/p>\n
New Oxford boss Des Buckingham is still awaiting his first League One victory after four matches following a 1-1 draw at local rivals Reading.<\/p>\n
Most of the first-half action was squeezed into a four-minute spell shortly before the interval, with Oxford going in front from a Ciaron Brown header and Sam Smith soon levelling for the hosts.<\/p>\n
The second period proved high on endeavour yet low on quality, with neither team able to find a winner.<\/p>\n
In the first league meeting between the clubs since April 2001, an even and quiet opening gave way to a dramatic end to the half.<\/p>\n
Full-back Brown nodded play-off chasers Oxford in front from a Stanley Mills cross in the 39th minute, much to the delight of their near-3,000 travelling fans.<\/p>\n
But Reading were back level in the 43rd\u00a0minute, former United loanee Smith latching on to a fine Lewis Wing pass to coolly beat keeper James Beadle.<\/p>\n
Oxford dominated most of the second period but without unduly troubling the home defence or keeper David Button, though Josh Murphy drilled narrowly wide in stoppage time.<\/p>\n
Reading offered little going forward, apart from weak efforts from Femi Azeez and Charlie Savage that were saved by Beadle, and the game petered out into a tame draw.<\/p>\n