OXFORD United produced an entertaining display but had to settle for a draw as they were unable to find a way past a dogged Stevenage.

The home side played some exhilarating football at times, particularly in the first half, creating a host of chances.

But none found a way past Stevenage goalkeeper Chris Day, with two late chances spurned by top scorer Danny Hylton ultimately very costly.

United will take plenty of heart from the way they played though, and the draw extends their unbeaten run to five games.

U's boss Michael Appleton named an unchanged side, which picked up where they left off in their 3-1 win against Accrington Stanley on Tuesday night.

A bright start saw Tom Newey launch a precise cross-field ball for Hylton, who fired in a low shot to force an excellent save from Day.

The goalkeeper was helpless on the quarter-hour mark when Callum O'Dowda cut inside and hit a shot which took a deflection, but with Day stranded the ball flew narrowly wide.

United were thoroughly on top, with Stevenage packing men behind the ball in an effort to stifle their hosts.

Left back Darius Charles somehow escaped a caution on 18 minutes with a barge to bring down Joe Riley by the corner flag.

Michael Collins dragged the ball back for Hylton, whose shot hit a defender and bounced wide as the pressure continued to grow.

Another inventive set piece followed five minutes later, when Joe Riley volleyed wide after Brian Howard chipped a free-kick to the edge of the box.

Stevenage's priority was to soak up the pressure and they only got forward a handful of times in the half.

Their fans had to wait 27 minutes for the first attempt on goal of any kind, when Michael Richens lashed a wild shot from 30 yards which landed in the car park.

United's top scorer Hylton continued to be their main threat.

The striker powerfully headed one cross from Newey wide, while late in the half a surge from the in-form O'Dowda saw him volley wide.

It would have been a high quality goal and a fitting way to sum up an entertaining half, but Stevenage got to the break unscathed.

United were kept waiting for a couple of minutes before the second half began, as Stevenage took their time to return from the changing rooms.

When the game restarted they played with a noticeably higher defensive line, looking to press United up the pitch.

It took six minutes for the home side's procession of chances to restart.

Hylton got in down the left and did well to stay on his feet in the box, before having a shot deflected over from eight yards.

Just before the hour mark a 90-yard move summed up United's approach.

George Long and Jake Wright exchanged passes in their own area, but instead of launching the ball under pressure, United's skipper threaded a pass to Josh Ruffels.

He let the ball run and picked out Hylton with a brilliant lofted pass.

The striker ran into the area and jinked past a defender, but his shot was blocked and turned behind.

From the resulting corner, Newey headed inches over the crossbar.

Day also saved a half volley from Ruffels, but as the half wore on United's intensity dropped slightly.

Briefly Stevenage's influence grew and 12 minutes from time they had their first effort on target, a fierce shot from Dean Parrett which Long parried.

In the closing stages United regained the upper hand and Hylton had two glorious chances in the space of a minute.

The top scorer has taken most of his opportunities this season, but his scoring touch deserted him.

First, he fired wide from eight yards when the ball fell to him at a corner.

Then good work from Barnett saw Hylton round Day, but he delayed the shot, allowing the goalkeeper to smother.

Despite six minutes of stoppage time added on, United did not have such a clear sight of goal again as they came away with just a point for all their efforts.

Oxford Utd: G Long, Riley, Mullins, Wright, Newey, Collins, Ruffels, Hylton, Howard (Brown 82), O'Dowda, Barnett.

Unused subs: Crocombe, Raynes, Rose, Potter, Jakubiak, Morris.

Stevenage: Day, Richens, Wells, Dembele, Charles, Whelpdale (Parrett 66), Henry, Lee, Beardsley, Lancaster (Pett ht), Marriott (Calcutt 43).

Unused subs: Reading, Ashton, Gorman, Conlon.

Referee: Christopher Kavanagh (Manchester).

Attendance: 4,658 (263 visitors).