Oxford scored twice from set pieces in the first half as they beat managerless West Brom 2-1 in a tense Championship relegation clash at the Kassam Stadium.

Stan Mills headed them in front in the 14th minute from Jamie Donley's corner, arching back to guide the ball beautifully into the top-left corner.

That was Oxford's first goal at home in more than nine hours - since Boxing Day - and they added another 12 minutes later when Will Lankshear nodded in a Cameron Brannagan free-kick from six yards which goalkeeper Max O'Leary maybe should have come for.

But substitute Ollie Bostock pulled a goal back for Albion after 33 minutes with a 25-yard shot that took a big deflection off Sam Long to leave keeper Jamie Cumming helpless.

Image: Will Lankshear of Oxford United celebrates his goal

The visitors had plenty of the ball in the second half as they strove for an equaliser, but Oxford held on for a vital three points in their bid to beat the drop.

West Brom had James Morrison in interim charge following the midweek sacking of Eric Ramsay after just nine games.

Ramsay was...