Oxford United earned a 1-1 draw with Mansfield despite ending the match with nine men - and briefly being reduced to eight.

Aaron Ramsey's side remarkably held on for a point in their League One clash after being shown two red cards in the final 15 minutes.

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Heroic Oxford display

Leading 1-0 thanks to a first-half stunner from Aston Villa loanee Luka Lynch, Oxford's night descended into chaos late on.

After Peter Kioso was sent off for a second yellow card in the 75th minute, Mansfield equalised through Michael Smith minutes later.

Things then went from bad to worse for the U's when Glatan O'Donkor was shown a red card on 84 minutes, also for a second booking.

This left Oxford down to nine men and clinging on under intense pressure from Mansfield, before their struggles multiplied.

They were briefly reduced to eight when Brodie Spencer had to leave the field for a minute after an injury stoppage.

Despite a huge numerical disadvantage, Ramsey's side incredibly held on through seven minutes of second half injury time to earn a point.

The draw leaves Oxford seventh in League One on 15 points, having won four, drawn three and lost just once since the ex-Arsenal star's appointment as manager in June.

Ramsey 'super proud' of team

With this being Ramsey's first permanent managerial role, he was left delighted with his side's battling display to earn a point at Mansfield.

The Welshman said: "I am super proud of the players and the way they finished that game.

"We went down to eight men for a minute, which seemed forever. But for us to dig in and show that sort of togetherness, I couldn't have asked for any more.

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"We can't beat around the bush, though. We were in control of the game and 1-0 up, so it is frustrating too."

Despite praising his team's resolve, Ramsey questioned both red cards shown to his team.

Kioso picked up a second booking for what was deemed a dive inside the box, even though the forward looked to have had his shirt pulled as he closed down on goal.

He added: "The first red card was obviously disappointing and a big moment in the game. I disagree with the decision. For me there is certainly contact in the area and it should have been a penalty.

"So for the referee to book him as well is disappointing as there is no way he [Peter Kioso] dived."

On the second red for O'Donkor, Ramsey said: "I don't believe the first was a yellow card but the second, it is what it is.

"The response from the players after that was brilliant. This is a tough place to come and Mansfield have a long unbeaten home record."

Ramsey was appointed Oxford boss ahead of the new season, after Matt Bloomfield was sacked following relegation from the Championship.

Prior to this, Ramsey's only prior coaching experience came when he took over at Cardiff City on a caretaker basis for three games at the end of the 2024/25 season.

Ramsey was installed after predecessor Omer Riza was sacked.

However, Ramsey was ultimately unable to save his boyhood club from relegation to League One having drawn twice and lost once from his three games at the helm.