JORDAN Zemura's strike came in vain as Cherries under-21s suffered their first Central League Cup defeat of the season.

Heading to face Oxford United, Shaun Cooper's side lost 3-1 in Group A, and also finished with 10 men after a red card for Nathan Moriah-Welsh.

The deadlock was broken at Oxford Sports Park from the penalty spot, with Michael Elechi beating goalkeeper Josh Clarke, after he had brought down Jack Stevens in the box.

But back came Cherries, equalising through Zemura, who made his senior Zimbabwe debut this month.

However, Oxford restored their lead seven minutes before half-time.

Shortly after Nico Jones had seen a header cleared off the line, Dylan Asonganyi went one better to beat Clarke.

And the Sweden youth international was picking the ball out the net again before the half was out, with Slavi Spasov powering home a header.

That is how the game stayed, with Cherries playing the final 20 minutes a man light following Moriah-Welsh's dismissal for a poor challenge.

Cherries: Clarke, Gillela, Genesini, Bevan, Greenwood, Zemura, Moriah-Welsh, Wadham, Burgess, Saydee, Glover.

Subs: Roberts, Adams, Pollock, Besant (g/k).