OXFORD United were unable to give their long-suffering fans any festive cheer as they bowed out at Cheltenham in the LDV Vans Trophy Southern Section quarter-final last night.

The U's who were backed by over 200 fans in an 1,800 crowd, could not be faulted for their commitment as they fought back from the dead to give Cheltenham's defence the jitters after Lee Mansell scored late on.

After a poor run of form, Brian Talbot's side were hoping to get back some confidence following Friday's 1-0 home debacle against Lincoln.

However, that suffered a severe jolt when they conceded a goal in the second minute.

Chris Tardiff, who was brought in for an out-of-sorts Billy Turley, did well to get a hand to Steven Gillespie's initial shot.

But he couldn't keep out the follow up from the on-loan Bristol City striker.

Minutes later, Cheltenham nearly got a second, but Brian Wilson's shot was easily held by Tardif.

Leo Roget then headed JJ Melligan's free-kick off the line as Cheltenham piled on the pressure.

After weathering the storm, the U's started to get back in the game with substitute Chris Hackett, on for Adam Griffin adfter 35 minutes, getting underneath a cross from Neville Roach, whose pace caused Cheltenham problems throughout the first half.

Barry Quinn then had a goalbound effort deflected for a corner, while the impressive Mansell just failed to connect with Roach's ball to the far post.

Tardif then earned his corn with a superb save to deny Grant McCann, though he was powerless when Wilson's header crashed against an upright after Oxford's defence failed to clear.

Roach had a great chance to level just before the break, but shot wide when well-placed after Eric Sabin headed on a long throw from Hackett.

Jude Stirling, playing in place of the suspended Jon Ashton, went on a great burst towards goal, but his shot lacked direction.

In the second half, Hackett, who looked to be back to his best, went on a brilliant run before sending a shot fizzing wide.

Another excellent run down the left from the pacy winger, almost set up an equaliser for Oxford.

But in the 61st minute, Cheltenham doubled their lead when Shane Duff, the Shipton-under-Wychwood cricketer, beat Stirling to JJ Melligan's free-kick for his first of the season.

Minutes later, keeper Higgs made a good save to deny Sabin, before Cheltenham started to turn the screw.

Wilson, who had tormented Oxford in their last three meetings, almost made it 3-0, but Tardif did well to keep out his well-struck effort.

It looked all over for United, but they clawed one back in the 84th minute through Mansell, who deflected home Hackett's free-kick after the winger was brought down by Gavin Caines, who was booked for the foul.

It was all Oxford in the closing minutes, with Sabin going close with a spectacular overhead kick.

But it wasn't to be . . .