OXFORDSHIRE Schools Under 16s suffered the heartbreak of a 1-0 defeat after extra time against Merseyside in the ESFA Premier League Inter County Trophy final at the Baseball Ground, Derby.

Oxon had their chances to win the game in normal time, but failed to take them and were made to pay from a corner four minutes into the second period of extra time.

With Oxon picking up all Merseyside's bigger lads, Drew Hyland was left free to head home from six yards.

It was a similar scenario to the county's previous appearance in the final four years ago when they also went down in extra time with a 3-2 defeat by Northumberland at the Manor Ground.

Oxon found Merseyside very physical opponents - sometimes over physical with the northern side having a player sent off two minutes from the end of extra time for two bookable offences.

However, with Sam Willett outstanding at the back, Oxon defended superbly to keep the score blank at half-time.

And in the second half, Oxon had the chances to snatch victory. Michael Alexis sidefooted home Eddie Anaclet's cross from ten yards only to see his effort ruled out by a very tight offiside decision.

Anaclet then had a great chance as he raced into the clear, but the Merseyside keeper did superbly to force him wide and block his shot.

Merseyside continued to look dangerous in attack and Oxon keeper Adrian Thomas reacted smartly to tip over a drive from just outside the box. Matthew Brandish had a shot turned round the post and Alexis saw a header cleared off the line as Oxon created the clearer chances.

Anaclet went close again with an effort which brought a one-handed save out of the Merseyside keeper as normal time ended goalless.

There was still little to seperate the two sides in extra time until Hyland struck to break the deadlock to end Oxon's brave challenge.

Oxon manager Des Williams was proud of his side's efforts.

He said: "I have no complaints because on the day I think, although we had chances to win it in the second half, they were the better side.

"They shut us down well and gave us no time on the ball.

"We have done brilliantly to get there. The boys are very disappointed obviously, but they are a credit to Oxfordshire. They have conducted themselves extremely well throughout."