CAMERON Brannagan was thrilled to help Oxford United extend their extraordinary season as they beat Burton Albion to reach the Sky Bet League One play-offs.

The U’s won 4-0 at the Kassam Stadium on the final day of the campaign to snatch sixth place from Portsmouth, who were beaten 1-0 by Accrington Stanley at Fratton Park.

Read the match report here

It sets up a play-off semi-final against Blackpool, with The Tangerines visiting a week tomorrow and the return leg at Bloomfield Road three days later.

A second successive top-six finish is extra impressive considering the U’s were bottom of the table at the start of November and still in the relegation zone a month later.

It has been a roller coaster campaign and Brannagan knows that more than most, having missed three months after a rare inflammation behind the eye threatened his sight.

The midfielder, who turned 25 yesterday, said: “It has been a mad season, lots of ups and downs personally and with the team – all that is gone now.

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“We only look forward, we’ve got huge games coming up.

“We’re going to prepare right and be ready for those games.”

Mide Shodipo’s tenth-minute header set the U’s on their way, with Matty Taylor adding a second just before the half-hour mark.

Elliot Lee’s free-kick sealed victory early in the second period and Sam Winnall slammed home on the volley in stoppage-time.

Read also: Oxford United player ratings for Burton win

Although not on the scoresheet, Brannagan was named man of the match as he produced another classy display in the deeper midfield role.

The midfielder has been linked with several Sky Bet Championship clubs, but insisted he is focused firmly on United.

He said: “I’m not interested in all that stuff.

“My main focus is trying to get promotion with this club, I don’t care about anything else.

“I’ve loved my time here, nothing’s changed.

“We go into the play-offs as a team and we want to go one further than last year.”