Oxford United were sent tumbling out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in the first round by Aldershot following a 2-0 defeat.
Mark Creighton made a first start of the season at centre back for the U's, with new signing Josh Payne operating just in front of the back four on his debut for the club. Alfie Potter and Mitchell Cole flanker main striker Matt Green in attack with James Constable rested and Jack Midson dropping to the bench.
It was Potter who created the first chance, sending a precise lob over stranded Shots 'keeper Jamie Young only to see the ball bounce off the bar to safety. The stopper had to be at his best minutes later when he flung himself full length to keep out a Richie Baker free kick, while at the other end Ryan Clarke was called into action to repel Luke Gutteridge's effort as play swung this way and that.
On 17 minutes the home side went ahead when Danny Hylton stole in behind Anthony Tonkin and strode clear to finish impressively past Clarke. United continued to look to play the ball around and Cole almost sneaked into the box on the end of a long passing move on 23 minutes, but Aldershot looked dangerous, Wade Small firing narrowly wide a minute later while Creighton had to make a last ditch block as Hylton looked to wriggle free again.
Green had a great chance to level after latching onto a poor back pass only for Young to rush off his line and smother the striker's effort, while Clarke showed his class when he saved a Gutteridge volley five minutes before half time. In the second half United began to dominate possession through Baker and Payne, and Green and Potter both went close with early efforts. But the visitors were still too open at the back, and Clarke pulled off two more saves before Aldershot grabbed a second just before the hour mark. Jake Wright slipped to allow Damian Spencer through on goal and he gave Clarke no chance with his finish to make it 2-0.
After that the game faded, Clarke saving well from Small after 74 minutes and Creighton finding the bar with a header from a Baker free kick from six yards with seven minutes left.
