Oxford United have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup after a penalty shootout defeat against Watford.
A vastly rotated U’s side were on top for most of the game and took the lead through Rob Hall, but were pegged back two minutes from time.
Karl Robinson’s side failed to score any of their penalties with Daniel Bachmann saving spot kicks from Anthony Forde, Marcus McGuane and Hall.
Your #oufc XI tonight: pic.twitter.com/xUoceiIaEV
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) September 15, 2020
Robinson made eight changes from the side that lost at Lincoln. Jack Stevens replaced Simon Eastwood in goal, while Sam Long came in for the injured Josh Ruffels on the left and Sean Clare started on the right. John Mousinho and Elliott Moore were the centre back partnership.
Robinson opted for two deeper midfielders, with Forde and Cameron Brannagan sitting behind Hall. Joel Cooper made his first start on the left with Dan Agyei on the right, while Derick Osei Yaw led the line.
It was the Championship side that started brighter and former Oxford loanee Jerome Sinclair stole the ball from Mousinho before squaring to Stipe Perica, but his effort was saved by Stevens. The debutant came close again after ten minutes, but his header struck the bar.
Oxford then found their rhythm and began to control the game against a Hornets side that also made wholesale changes. Cooper looked lively on the left and, although he lost the ball, managed to set up Hall to fire home from 20-yards.
The goalkeeper couldn’t get near the strike from Hall, but did deny Osei moment later. Brannagan then tested the Austrian before Moore struck the post as Oxford began to dominate.
The U’s should have doubled their lead seven minutes before the break. Cooper twisted and turned before setting up Long who saw his effort parried, before Cooper struck over from close range.
Watford were relieved when the break came and made two changes ahead of the second half. Perica came close to a leveller but Stevens stood tall to deny him.
The U’s then made two changes with McGuane and Liam Kelly coming on, before being enforced into a third change. Mousinho took a knock and was unable to continue, with Kyran Lofthouse replacing the defender to form a makeshift back four.
Watford played the final ten minutes with ten men after they suffered an injury, having made all three changes. However, the struggling Hornets managed a late equaliser through Ken Sema’s tatty finish.
Stevens was unable to deny anyone from 12 yards with Bachmann denying all three U’s players to set up a third-round tie at Newport County.
