Oxford United picked up their first League One points of the season on Saturday with a 2-1 victory at Stevenage, and manager Aaron Ramsey was not shy about crediting his side's defensive composure as the foundation for it.

A platform built in the first half

Ramsey had flagged Stevenage away as a different kind of test before the game, and so it proved. Oxford were under pressure at Broadhall Way and knew it. The manager's message beforehand had centred on staying disciplined out of possession, and by his own account the side delivered.

"It was a really tough place to go to but [it was] a test that we stood up to," Ramsey told BBC Radio Oxford. "Particularly in the first half we knew that we would have to be on it from an out-of-possession point of view and I thought we were brilliant, we defended the box superbly."

That first-half solidity gave Oxford the foothold they needed. Without it, the second half might have looked very different.

O'Donkor and Brannagan do the damage

Oxford took the lead in the second half through Gatlin O'Donkor, a player who had spoken publicly about targeting a big season ahead of this fixture. He duly delivered. Cameron Brannagan then doubled the advantage from the penalty spot, giving Ramsey's side a cushion that, ultimately, proved enough.

Stevenage pulled one back deep into added time, but Oxford held on. It was, on the evidence of the first half at least, a result built on defensive organisation rather than free-flowing football. Ramsey will not mind that distinction one bit at this stage of the season.

"That gave us the confidence and the platform to take the game to them in the second half and I felt we really had control of the game then," the Oxford boss added.

Mills' cameo adds an awkward subplot

The afternoon came with a notable sidebar. Stan Mills, whom Ramsey confirmed earlier in the season has agreed to join Preston North End in January, came off the bench and provided the assist for the opening goal. The 22-year-old's appearance prompted a warm reception from the Oxford supporters.

It is a situation that most clubs would quietly prefer not to be managing: a player publicly heading for the exit in January, contributing meaningfully in August. Ramsey, to his credit, acknowledged it plainly rather than dressing it up.

"The reception that he got [from the Oxford fans] was really pleasing and Stan deserves that," the manager said. "He's been a player of high quality over the last few years and he deserves that moment with the fans today."

Whether Mills remains available and motivated through the winter months is a question Oxford will have to keep revisiting. For now, at least, there is no suggestion of a problem.

Where this leaves both clubs

For Oxford, it is three points on the board and Ramsey's first win as United boss. The club made no secret before the season that promotion was the target, and getting off the mark away from home, against a side that finished strongly last term, is a decent early signal.

For Stevenage, it is a second successive home defeat to digest. Dave Challinor's side had shown play-off pedigree coming into the campaign, and there will be time enough to recalibrate. But conceding twice at home and pulling one back only after the game was settled is not quite the platform they would have wanted.

Oxford are next in action on Tuesday, 1 September, when they travel to face Huddersfield in League One. Stevenage will be looking to bounce back quickly, with their own fixture list providing the next opportunity to respond.

Frequently asked

What was the score in the Oxford United vs Stevenage match?
Oxford United won 2-1 at Stevenage. Gatlin O'Donkor scored the opener and Cameron Brannagan added a second from the penalty spot, before Stevenage pulled one back late in added time.
Who scored for Oxford United against Stevenage?
Gatlin O'Donkor scored Oxford's first goal, with the assist coming from Stan Mills off the bench. Cameron Brannagan then converted a penalty to make it 2-0.
When is Oxford United's next League One match?
Oxford United's next League One fixture is away at Huddersfield on Tuesday, 1 September.