OXFORD United’s play-off hopes suffered a blow on a miserable evening in Lancashire as Morecambe fought back to win 2-1.

Matty Taylor’s 20th Sky Bet League One goal of the season put the U’s ahead inside three minutes, but Aaron Wildig and Cole Stockton scored in quick succession to turn the tables.

United piled on the pressure in the second half as they hunted an equaliser, only to find their path blocked by red shirts and a couple of incredible saves from goalkeeper Trevor Carson.

Morecambe protected the points with their lives as they moved out of the relegation zone, while the U’s fall to eighth following their second away defeat in four days.

United’s line-up showed two changes of personnel and one change of shape, as Karl Robinson switched from 3-4-1-2 to 4-3-3.

Jack Stevens was preferred to Simon Eastwood in goal as he made his first appearance for exactly a month, while Nathan Holland came in for Billy Bodin to start on the left wing.

A different formation meant a new-look defence, with Ryan Williams and Ciaron Brown either side of Luke McNally and Sam Long.

United began on the front foot and Taylor’s 22nd goal of the season gave them the perfect start.

The U’s worked the ball patiently, before Mark Sykes upped the tempo in a flash with a driving run into the penalty area. The Irishman crossed low for Taylor, who controlled, swivelled and fired into the top corner.

It was all United, but they will be furious with the way Morecambe hauled themselves level.

McNally could only head a free-kick as far as Wildig on the edge of the box and the midfielder scuffed the shot, but there was enough on it to deceive Stevens.

The U’s looked shaken and there were some nervous moments in defence, with the home fans sensing blood and increasing the volume.

United tried to reassert control and Holland found the net after forcing Carson into a good save down low, but Sykes was in an offside position when he latched onto the rebound to cross.

Instead, it was Morecambe who went 2-1 up through another avoidable goal.

Stockton picked Herbie Kane’s pocket in midfield and exchanged passes with Adam Phillips, before burying his 24th of the season into Jack Stevens’ far corner.

The striker dispossessed Kane again four minutes later and fired a swerving effort wide, but there was certainly a spring in the hosts’ step.

United regrouped and created more chances towards the end of the half, with Williams cutting inside and slicing an effort wide when he could have shot earlier.

Whyte then fizzed the ball across the six-yard box and out for a goal kick, before scuffing straight at Carson from a tight angle after he was released by Holland.

The two players almost combined as United started the second half strongly, but the Northern Ireland international’s cross was cut out when the shot looked a better option.

The U’s saw a string of chances blocked, while Carson was equal to Kane’s fierce effort when the midfielder managed to beat the bodies.

Ryan Cooney replaced Ryan McLaughlin as Morecambe made their first chance just after the hour mark, while James Henry and Bodin came on for Marcus McGuane and Gavin Whyte.

The U’s were inches away from equalising moments later as Sykes found Holland, who beat the defender to go one-on-one with Carson. The winger fired towards the bottom corner and the goalkeeper somehow stuck a foot out to divert the ball wide.

Bodin shot just over as the game entered its closing stages, while Sam Winnall replaced Holland in Robinson’s final throw of the dice.

The striker joined Taylor up front, with Bodin in behind, as United switched to a 4-4-2 diamond. His first contribution almost brought the equaliser, only to see his effort take a deflection and loop agonisingly past the post.

Stevens had to punch away Dylan Connolly’s fierce strike from range, but the best action remained at the other end.

Carson produced another vital block when McNally shot through the crowd, but he saved his best stop until last.

Winnall met a cut-back in the final minute of normal time and fired towards the top corner, only for the Morecambe goalkeeper to somehow tip the ball over the crossbar. It summed up United’s second half.

Morecambe (4-3-3): Carson, McLaughlin (Cooney 62), Bennett, Bedeau, Gibson, Phillips (Diagouraga 85), Fane, Wildig, Connolly, Stockton, Gnahoua (McLoughlin).

Unused subs: Smith, Mensah, Ayunga, Obika.

Booked: McLaughlin, Fane.

Oxford United (4-3-3): Stevens, Williams, McNally, Long, Brown, Sykes, Kane, McGuane (Henry 64), Whyte (Bodin 64), Taylor, Holland (Winnall 76).

Unused subs: Eastwood, Mousinho, Seddon, Forde.

Booked: Williams.

Referee: Robert Lewis (Shropshire).

Attendance: TBC.