THIS weekend may be Oxford United ’s first taste of Football League play-offs, but that does not mean they are going in blind.
Up to a dozen of Karl Robinson’s squad have experience of high-stakes post-season clashes, both in England and around the world.
Simon Eastwood
The goalkeeper was on the bench for Huddersfield Town’s League One play-off in 2010.
The Terriers lost 2-0 on aggregate to Millwall, who were managed by now Pompey boss Kenny Jackett.
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Eastwood was also part of an FC Halifax Town side which lost the Conference North semi-final to Gainsborough Trinity in 2012.
Elliott Moore
During his time in Belgium with OH Leuven, Moore stayed up in a 2019 relegation play-off, having missed out a year earlier in a competition to qualify for the Europa League.
John Mousinho
Struck the only goal as Stevenage beat Torquay United at Old Trafford to win promotion from League Two in 2011.
A year later he came on as a substitute in both legs as the same side lost 1-0 on aggregate to Sheffield United in the League One semi-final.
Alex Gorrin
Featured in end of season tournaments in New Zealand, Romania and Scotland.
Cameron Brannagan
The midfielder, then on loan from Liverpool, played the final 19 minutes of the League One semi-final second leg for Fleetwood Town in 2017.
They lost 1-0 on aggregate to Bradford City.
Jamie Hanson
The midfielder was injured for Derby County’s Championship games with Hull City in 2016 and made a brief cameo in the semi-final defeat against Fulham two years later.
Anthony Forde
The midfielder has a mixed experience of League One play-offs.
He was part of a Walsall side thrashed 6-1 by Barnsley in 2016, but two years later he featured in all three games as Rotherham United won promotion.
Mark Sykes
Reached the Europa League play-off final in Northern Ireland with Glenavon, where they lost to Ballymena.
Liam Kelly
Came on as a substitute for Reading in their 2017 semi-final success against Fulham.
He also came off the bench at Wembley, where he scored in the shoot-out as Huddersfield Town went up.
Matty Taylor
The striker netted in both legs of the 2015 National League semi-final for Bristol Rovers as they beat Forest Green Rovers.
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He scored a penalty in the shoot-out victory over Grimsby Town at Wembley.
James Henry
Played for Jackett in both legs of Millwall’s 2009 League One semi-final win against Leeds United.
Jamie Mackie
Scored for Exeter City in the Conference semi-final shoot-out win against United in 2007.
The Grecians were defeated by Morecambe in the final.
THE MANAGERS
Karl Robinson
His MK Dons side reached the League One play-offs in successive seasons, but fell at the semi-final stage both times.
In 2010/11 they beat Peterborough United 3-2 at home, before losing 2-0 away to go out 4-3 on aggregate.
A year later Huddersfield beat them 2-0 at Stadium MK before hanging on for a 2-1 defeat in the second leg to go through 3-2 on aggregate.
Kenny Jackett
Few managers have as much experience in the play-offs as the Pompey boss, who is gearing up for his fifth campaign.
It began in 2006 with Swansea City, who beat Brentford 3-1 but lost the final on penalties to Barnsley.
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Three years later he took Millwall past Leeds United 2-1 on aggregate, before tasting defeat at Wembley as Scunthorpe United won 3-2.
A year later the Lions made no mistake, beating Huddersfield Town 2-0 on aggregate in the semi-final and then Swindon Town 1-0 to secure promotion.
Last season Portsmouth were edged out 1-0 by Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, before a goalless draw at Fratton Park.
Pictures by David Fleming, James Williamson and PA Wire
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