Oxford United steam ahead in crunch FA Cup match against Swansea City

Oxford fans celebrate in the stands during the FA Cup third-round football match between Oxford United andSwansea City at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford, west of London, on January 10, 2016.

“I would want him to stay, yeah, absolutely”, stressed Curtis, who has been put in charge at the Liberty Stadium until the end of the season.

Curtis will rest several regulars against League Two Oxford ahead of a crunch Barclays Premier League relegation battle against Sunderland on Wednesday night.

Sercombe smashed home down the middle and Oxford kept the pressure up after the break – Roofe firing into the far corner from the edge of the box just four minutes into the second half.

Bafetimbi Gomis pulled one back but the visitors could not find an equaliser and slipped to a chastening defeat.

Roofe headed George Baldock’s cross narrowly over before Ryan Taylor’s header was only kept out by a fingertip save from Swans keeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt.

But the fourth-tier side soon fell behind courtesy of a stunning piece of link-up play between Montero and Emnes.

Ward’s 29th-minute goal ended Palace’s run of three games without scoring in which their need for a new striker has been highlighted, but despite reports of interest in Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey and others, former Newcastle boss Pardew was insistent that only a goalscorer is likely to arrive.

Oxford refused to lie down and levelled in first-half stoppage time following an ill-advised challenge by Bartley.

Montero was thwarted by Slocombe in what served as the best chance to level for Swansea, who must now focus fully on their fight against relegation from the top flight.