A patched-up Oxford United exited the Carabao Cup with their heads held high this evening as a team missing eight players through injury pushed Premier League opponents Crystal Palace all the way.
Missing so many first team regulars, United gave it everything in front of their biggest crowd of the season so far but were beaten by second half goals from Odsonne Edouard and Luka Milivojevic.
In adversity, United put much of their trust in youngsters James Golding, Josh Johnson and Gatlin O’Donkor, and all three excelled. Golding made an important early touch to help an Odsonne Edouard effort round the post, Johnson looked composed in front of a back three, and O’Donkor went close with a header after 13 minutes as United looked to hit on the break against a strong Palace side packed with internationals.
They came under pressure, of course they did, but John Mousinho cajoled and encouraged those around him, midfielders Lewis Bate and Cameron Brannagan chased, harried and, when the opportunity arose, showed their class, and the crowd got behind them, recognising the workrate and spirit.
Brannagan powered in a shot that raised hopes further, and when Palace did get the better of them, Nathaniel Clyne headed the best chance of the first half wide. Otherwise United had matched their high-flying visitors and were very much in the game at the break.
The Eagles raised their tempo from then on but United stuck to their guns and keeper Ed McGinty was largely untroubled for an hour as Mousinho, Sam Long and Ciaron Brown held the line superbly. Matty Taylor and Kyle Joseph were given half an hour to find a goal, Oisin Smyth was given a debut in place of the terrific Johnson, but then with their first shot on target Palace went ahead.
Jeffrey Schlupp created it with a magificently weighted through-ball that curled delicately into the path of Edouard, and his perfect finish gave McGinty no chance.
Palace had dominated the ball and much of the game, and on 88 it was game over when Milivojevic thumped home an unstoppable penalty to send the Eagles flying through to the third round.
The U's can take pride in their performance and the way they had simply refused to accept their fate. They did little wrong and the younger players will benefit enormously from the experience.
A defeat though and now, whoever plays, they need to get back to winning ways, starting at Cheltenham on Saturday...
Att: 9,564
Away: 1,352
Fifty/50 winning number 40010 wins £766
Report by Chris Williams, pictures by Steve Daniels and REX/Shutterstock. Stats by OPTA