ALEX MacDonald is determined to make it third time lucky at Wembley when Oxford United bid to win the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy today.

The winger is no stranger to showpiece finals at the home of English football.

But after missing out on Burnley’s squad as they won promotion to the Premier League in 2009, he was then on the losing side in 2014 as Burton Albion were beaten by Fleetwood Town in the League Two play-off final.

And the 25- year-old, who has played in every round of United’s run to Wembley, is looking to make amends when the U’s take on Sky Bet League One side Barnsley.

“Here’s hoping for third time lucky,” he said.

“I won the first time with Burnley, but I wasn’t really involved in the squad, only warmed up on the day.

“But I still experienced it all, it was a full-house, and the one with Burton didn’t go to plan, but I’m hoping we will all be prepared for Barnsley.

“It is 90 minutes to go and express yourself in the biggest stadium in the UK so it will be good.”

United worked out the logistics, including tickets, for Wembley a couple of months ago to avoid any distractions from their league exploits.

But MacDonald has not gone crazy buying tickets for family members.

He said: “I really calmed that down.

“I got tickets for immediate family and told the rest to do it themselves.

“I could not be bothered to take orders for 20, 30, 40 tickets, so I said if you want them, here’s the number, go and get them yourself.”