Oxford United delivered a result last night that will reverberate around the Football League.

Their 6-1 thrashing of Bristol Rovers in the Carling Cup first round was a magnificent exhibition of attacking football from first minute to last – and there could have been more goals.

For the U’s, playing again in the competition they won nearly a quarter of a century ago, following their promotion to the Football League in May, it was an emphatic message: “We are back – and now you’d better believe us.”

Simon Heslop and James Constable both scored twice, and on an evening of sheer delight for manager Chris Wilder, his two other forwards – Matt Green and Jack Midson – also found the net.

League One Rovers were left shell-shocked and their 21-year-old keeper, Mike Green, had a debut to forget.

But the Oxford supporters, who just a few months ago were watching non-League football, were in dreamland again, just like at Wembley.

“We’ve sent them home happy, and I’m pleased because it’s our job to do that,” said a smiling Wilder after the game.

“I’m delighted with the players. We asked them after Saturday to show a bit more belief and be a bit more positive in the final third, and up the quality – and they’ve certainly done that tonight.

“It was a hard game for the opposition because it was a lose-lose one for them, and win-win for us. We were not expected to win against a division one club.

“And although everything was nice when they got here, I don’t want my team to be a nice one to play against.

“I want us to be in the opposition’s faces and anyone who comes away with any sort of result has got to make sure they do it the hard way.”

Wilder added: “I thought the front three didn’t do enough on Saturday. I think they’re better than that. I was pleased with Jack because tonight he showed why we brought him to the club.

“The front three were a handful all night. We worked on linking play and stretching it a bit, and we did that.”

Bristol Rovers manager Paul Trollope labelled it “an embarrassing display” from his team.

But they could not have imagined how good Oxford might be.

The draw for the second round of the Carling Cup, in which most Premier League teams enter, takes place today.