The cruellest cup exit imaginable left Oxford United's players on their knees in the dressing room last night.

After the first match under lights at The Kassam Stadium, new United boss Mark Wright was in the dark as to how referee Mark Cooper could award Gillingham a penalty which turned the tie.

Having trailed for much of the match, the first division outfit scrambled their way into extra time and then, just as everyone was preparing for a penalty shoot-out, they won it 2-1 with a heartbreaking Iffy Onuora winner in the 120th minute.

Action from last night's game

Wright was fuming with the decision to award the Gills a spot kick eight minutes from the end of normal time when substitute Paul Shaw fell to the ground after the slightest of tugs.

"For 85 minutes we were on top and then you get robbed by a decision that is an absolute scandal," Wright said.

"I've been in trouble before with referees, but the boy's just thrown himself on the floor.

"I just feel gutted for my players. I'll hold my hands up the moment we get well and truly beat and deserve to get beat, but I honestly felt we were robbed."

Wright has only just returned to the dug-out after serving a two-match touchline ban for comments he made to officials at a Southport game towards the end of last season.

And his Gllingham counterpart, Andy Hessenthaler, insisted: "Shaw says his legs were clipped.

"Penaly decisions even themselves out over the season, but I can understand Oxford being disappointed. They played with a lot of spirit and if they keep those performances up for their league programme, I'm sure they'll have no problem."

Read more on the match on This is United