Des Buckingham off the mark as Oxford beat Burton

Two goals from Ruben Rodrigues and one from Marcus McGuane gave Des Buckingham his first league win as Oxford boss in a 3-0 triumph against managerless Burton.

The Portuguese forward struck in the 25th minute, cutting in from the right to shoot past Max Crocombe following Cameron Brannagan’s cross-field pass.

Rodrigues made it two seven minutes from time, firing high into the net from 15 yards, before McGuane struck a brilliant long-range effort in the 89th minute to complete a comfortable win.

Gary Mills is in caretaker charge of Burton after Dino Maamria’s departure and he saw his team work hard but create little.

Josh Murphy missed an excellent early chance for the home side, heading a Rodrigues cross over from five yards.

Rodrigues headed into Crocombe’s hands, Murphy blazed over, and Stan Mills shot past the post from close range.

It was even more one-sided in the second half and Brannagan struck a brilliant 30-yard drive that came back off the post.

In one scramble, the U’s had four efforts blocked on the line before Mark Harris headed wide, and Crocombe also made a string of saves.