A DEJECTED Karl Robinson reflected on a devastating afternoon for Oxford United as their Sky Bet League One play-off challenge ended at Rotherham United.

The U’s went ahead at the New York Stadium through Dan Barlaser’s tenth-minute own goal, but the midfielder redeemed himself with a second-half penalty after Rarmani Edmonds-Green equalised moments before the break.

It means United’s top-six hopes ended in their penultimate game of the season after results elsewhere went against them.

Read the match report here

The U’s were aiming to reach the League One play-offs for the third successive campaign, but fell short despite accumulating more points than the previous two years.

“I’m just feeling numb, I feel like we’ve let people down,” head coach Robinson said.

“The players have been brilliant, they’ve given me everything week-in, week-out. They’re in tears in there.

“I have to say thank you to the players for everything they’ve given us but equally the fans. That unity has to stay stronger than ever.

“We’re always the bridesmaids in some ways. That has to change.”

United kept second-placed Rotherham at bay throughout the first half, only for Edmonds-Green to head home deep in stoppage-time.

The goal followed successive corners, which arose after Herbie Kane lost possession on the edge of his own penalty area.

It gave Rotherham momentum and the Millers took a golden chance when Luke McNally brought down Chiedozie Ogbene in the penalty area after being beaten to the ball at the byline.

Barlaser beat Jack Stevens from 12 yards and Robinson rued those key moments, while admitting similar issues have hampered United before.

He said: “There were other big games over the course of the season that we’ve been incredibly sloppy and that’s leaving me bitterly frustrated.

“We were good in the first half, but all of a sudden gave too many free-kicks away.

“Herbie’s taking too many touches - he was told not to do that - he said his thigh went and he just couldn’t kick the ball.

“I trust him in that because he’s such a good player, that’s why we had to make the sub at half-time (for Marcus McGuane).

“Sykesy (Mark Sykes) injured his hamstring so we had to make that sub. Anything that could have gone wrong went wrong.

“The players’ effort was there for all to see, we’re just gutted.”