Exeter 1-2 Oxford: U's book place in play-offs after narrow win in Devon
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Cameron Brannagan's penalty in the 2-1 win at Exeter helped Oxford earn a play-off place
Oxford secured a League One play-off place with a narrow victory over Exeter City at St James Park.
Mark Harris' early goal put the visitors in front before Cameron Brannagan further eased any nerves with a penalty five minutes before half-time.
Millenic Alli pulled a goal back for Exeter, who end the season in 13th place.
But Oxford held on to finish fifth and are set to face Peterborough in the play-offs, with Bolton taking on Barnsley, in the hunt for the final Championship promotion spot.
Harris gave the visitors the lead on 12 minutes after winning the ball high up the pitch, racing through on goal to slide the ball home low to the right of keeper Viljami Sinisalo.
Eight minutes later, Sinisalo saved Elliott Moore's header on the line, but with half-time looming, Brannagan doubled the lead from the penalty spot, finding the bottom left corner after Josh Murphy was brought down in the area.
But seven minutes after the break, Exeter halved the deficit through Alli, who powered home Tom Carroll's corner, and that changed the momentum.
Oxford began to retreat, knowing they needed to win, and Moore was required to make a crucial intervention after Alli drove down the left and flashed the ball across goal, but they held on to keep their Championship dream alive.
It looked like Oxford would meet Bolton in the play-off semi-finals but a late Northampton equaliser at Barnsley meant they finished above the South Yorkshire side in fifth place.