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How have Oxford United fared during previous play-off campaigns?
The end of season games have already provided plenty of entertainment across the English football system this campaign, with Luton Town beating Coventry City on penalties to ensure a place in the top flight for the first time in 31 years, while United’s neighbours Oxford City won 4-0 at home to St Albans City as they won the Vanarama National League South play-offs.
Notts County, with the help of U’s loanee Jodi Jones, beat Chesterfield in the National League play-off final, with Jones converting his spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out victory.
Carlisle United also won on penalties, defeating Stockport County, to ensure the Cumbria side will play Sky Bet League One football alongside Liam Manning’s United side in the 2023/24 season.
READ ALSO: Former Oxford United boss suffers relegation from Premier League
It is arguably in the third tier where there have been the most thrills in the play-offs this campaign, as Sheffield Wednesday overcame a 4-0 deficit from their first leg against Peterborough United.
The Owls won 4-0 themselves at Hillsborough, before it finished 5-1 in extra-time.
Wednesday went on to win 5-3 on penalties, becoming the first team to overcome more than a two-goal disadvantage from the first leg.
Darren Moore’s side will face Barnsley – who defeated Bolton Wanderers – in the League One play-off final this afternoon.
With that in mind, we took a look at how the U’s have fared in play-off campaigns over the years.
2007
United’s first taste of the play-offs ended in defeat, despite a winning start.
An own goal from Exeter City’s Andy Taylor gave the U’s a slender 1-0 advantage at St James Park, however a 2-1 defeat in the second leg ensured it was the Grecians who went to Wembley in the Conference play-off final.
Yemi Odubade had put 2-0 up on aggregate in the second leg, however Lee Phillips and Adam Stansfield sent the tie to penalties.
The away side won 4-3 in the shoot-out, but were beaten by Morecambe in the final.
2010
Three years later, United enjoyed a much more enjoyable experience in the play-offs when they secured promotion to the fourth tier.
James Constable gave Chris Wilder’s side the lead away against Rushden & Diamonds, who hit back through Mark Byrne as it finished 1-1 at Nene Park.
Matt Green and Constable scored for the U’s in the second leg, to book a first ever play-off final and first trip to Wembley since the Milk Cup victory in 1986.
United’s opponents in the 2010 final were York City, as a Conference play-off final attendance record of 42,669 was set – including 33,000 from Oxford.
Green broke the deadlock after 15 minutes, smashing into the top corner from the edge of the box with York goalkeeper Michael Ingham way off his line.
It was 2-0 six minutes later, Green playing in strike partner Constable to dispatch his 26th goal of the season.
The U’s were in control, only to see their lead halved when Ryan Clarke misjudged Alex Lawless’ corner in the Wembley rain, the ball slipping through his grasp and over the line.
It was tense second half, but the game was won when a 91st-minute corner was cleared to set Alfie Potter and Sam Deering racing across the pitch.
Potter advanced over the halfway line and fed his teammate, who returned the ball to allow the winger to write his name in United history.
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2020
A decade down the line and the U’s were fighting in their first Football League play-off campaign.
After promotion from Sky Bet League Two in 2016, United found themselves in the third tier play-offs.
The 2019/20 season was curtailed by Covid-19 with Karl Robinson’s side finishing fourth on points per game.
Ronan Curtis gave Portsmouth the lead at Fratton Park, but Marcus Browne found an equaliser for the U’s in the first leg.
Marcus Harness then gave Pompey the advantage in the second leg, however an Ellis Harrison own goal levelled matters again.
United held their nerve to win 5-4 on penalties, to book another trip to Wembley.
Anthony Stewart gave Wycombe Wanderers the lead in a game played behind closed doors.
Mark Sykes equalised with a cross that sailed in, however a late Joe Jacobson penalty broke U’s hearts.
2021
Two years ago, United were blown away by Neil Critchley’s Blackpool.
Ollie Turton and an Ellis Simms double gave the Seasiders a 3-0 lead at Grenoble Road, before a thrilling 3-3 draw at Bloomfield Road saw the U’s bow out 6-3 on aggregate.
