Crawley 4 (Barnett 4, 14, Drury 45+3, Howell 53), Oxford Utd 1 (Constable 30) Oxford United were blown away at Crawley this afternoon.
Chris Wilder's side never recovered from conceding a fourth-minute goal as they suffered their fourth straight defeat in all competitions.
However, despite then going 2-0 down after 14 minutes when Tyrone Barnett scored his second of the game, Oxford got a lifeline when James Constable tapped in on the half-hour.
But an uncharacteristic error from Ryan Clarke in the third minute of first-half stoppage time when he let Adam Drury's shot squirm under his body left Oxford with an almighty task after the break.
And seven minutes in, they had a mountain to climb when Dean Howell fired in a free-kick to make it 4-1.
It was a hugely-disappointing performance from Oxford, who had excuses for their previous three defeats, but were architects of their own downfall here, conceding goals at crucial times.
They now have a massive game at home to Cheltenham where they have to get their promotion push back on track.
Crawley: Shearer, Hunt, Mills, McFadzean (C Davis 65), Howell, Drury, Bulman, Simpson, Torres (Doughty 87), Tubbs, Barnett (Akinde 72). Subs not used: Kuipers, Akpan. Booked: McFadzean, Tubbs.
Oxford Utd: Clarke, Whing, Worley, Wright, Batt (Franks 51), McLaren (Heslop 56), Leven, L Davis, Philliskirk (Smalley 28), Constable, R Hall. Subs not used: A Hall, Tonkin. Booked: Constable, Batt, Whing, Worley, Wright.
Attendance: 4,042 (1,074 from Oxford).
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