Oli McBurnie’s stoppage-time goal earned Sergej Jakirovic a first win as new Hull manager following a breathless 3-2 victory at home to Oxford.
McBurnie, who joined the Tigers as a free agent two weeks ago, stabbed home Ryan Giles’ cross three minutes into added time to put the seal on what was a chaotic Championship game.
Bosnian Jakirovic, who replaced Ruben Selles in the summer, might have been forgiven for thinking this league was a cakewalk as Joe Gelhardt opened the scoring after two minutes.
But Oxford, as has become standard under Gary Rowett, rarely buckle under pressure and equalised seven minutes later through Spurs loan signing Will Lankshear.
Matt Crooks restored Hull’s advantage after 20 minutes before Cameron Brannagan equalised six minutes later during a relentless contest that was eclipsed by McBurnie’s late intervention.
The managers
Hull’s Sergej Jakirovic:
“That was his [McBurnie] second goal in his second game and two assists, I think.
“He was from the beginning our first wish (in the transfer window). He was not with us at the first weeks this summer, but he can run and knows the very league very well.
“He is massive for us. He has experience and quality and it’s very promising for us.”
Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic and Oxford’s Gary Rowett on the sidelines during the 3-2 win for the Tigers
Oxford’s Gary Rowett:
“It’s always going to sting a little more when you get into that position.
“Maybe we didn’t deserve to go in level at half-time as they could have perhaps scored more goals before the break.
“After the break I felt we weathered the storm after we made a change of formation.
“But, overall, certainly in the first half, Hull were much better than us and probably deserved to win the game.
“I would have expected us to have seen the game out for a scruffy draw.
“We felt maybe Hull’s frustration would allow us to create a few moments, but to concede like that so late is a bit sickening.
“Hull caused us a lot of problems with their moments but when you get a bit more stability as a team it will help.
“This division is about those little moments of quality which can win you tight games.”
