SWINDON Town failed to beat the 10 men of local rivals Oxford United over 90 minutes in tonight’s EFL Trophy clash, although had the consolation of a successful penalty shoot-out bonus point following a goalless draw at the County Ground.

The visitors were forced to play the whole second half of this fiery derby a man short following a straight red card for Alex MacDonald just before the break for a stamp on Anton Rodgers but despite their numerical advantage, Town were unable to find a winner in normal time.

Under new rules introduced for this year’s competition, with the teams level after 90 minutes a penalty shoot-out was required to decide who would get an additional bonus point and it was Town who prevailed courtesy of three spot-kick saves from young goalkeeper Will Henry to move top of the Southern section Group C table.

Oxford were almost caught cold with five minutes on the clock when Phil Edwards misjudged a free-kick from deep in the Town half. His miscued header unsighted Simon Eastwood, although the U’s stopper was able to recover as the ball trickled towards the goal.

The visitors then had their first sight of goal as Dan Crowley darted forward from deep before looping a shot over the top from 20 yards.

Oxford were then almost the masters of their own downfall again as Aaron Martin headed an Rodgers corner narrowly wide of his own goal as chances began to come thick and fast.

At the other end, MacDonald drilled a free-kick straight at Henry before he then blasted wide on the angle after meeting Joshua Ruffels’ looped set-piece, although the U’s man had strayed offside anyway.

Town’s Tom Smith then saw an effort from distance tipped around the post by Eastwood before Rodgers curled a free-kick narrowly wide when Luke Norris was tripped by Edwards after he looked to race onto Delfouneso's flick-on.

The hosts were cut open twice in quick succession just before the half-hour mark but were grateful to young keeper Henry as he thwarted MacDonald on both occasions.

However, the U’s were soon to be without their most threatening player as MacDonald was shown a straight red card six minutes before the break for a nasty stamp on Rodgers.

Town looked to make their numerical advantage count as the half wore to a close and Smith slipped in Delfouneso but Eastwood was quick off his line to gather before the visiting keeper then got down well to keep out a low strike from Ormonde-Ottewill as the teams headed to the changing rooms level.

The second half started in cagey fashion but it was Town who looked the livelier and Delfouneso dribbled into the box before feeding Ormonde-Ottewill and wide and he saw a low effort deflected for a corner.

Just as a lull began to hit proceedings, a double change by Town boss Luke Williams sparked his team back into life as John Goddard and Sean Murray were brought into the fray.

The home side saw huge appeals for a penalty waved away immediately after their introduction as Sam Long appeared to handle in the box, however, Goddard stayed alert to react to the loose ball but saw a shot brilliantly saved by Eastwood.

Town were almost caught out themselves when U’s substitute Marvin Johnson raced 50 yards up the left before cutting inside Raphael Branco and sending in a shot but he could not beat Henry from the edge of the box.

However, that proved a brief revival before the quality dipped again until five minutes from time when Oxford looked set to snatch the winner. The visitors raced clear on the counter and Joe Rothwell found himself one-on-one with Henry in the box but the Town keeper did just enough to keep him at bay.

As the match headed to penalties to decide who would take the additional spoils, the efforts from 12 yards produced the same tame quality as the original 90 minutes.

Five of the nine spot-kicks taken were saved but it was Town keeper Henry who was the hero as his three stops allowed Darnell Furlong to slam home his effort and give the hosts an unassailable 3-1 lead.

SWINDON TOWN: Henry; Furlong, Rossi-Branco (capt), Thomas; Brophy, Smith, Rodgers (Goddard 67), Iandolo (Murray 67), Ormonde-Ottewill; Delfouneso, Norris. Subs not used: Vigouroux, Thompson, Evans, Twine.

OXFORD UNITED: Eastwood; Edwards, Long, Martin, Skarz (capt); MacDonald, Rothwell (Sercombe 86), Ruffels, Roberts (Johnson 63), Crowley (Thomas 86), Taylor. Subs not used: Brown, Lundstram, Hemmings, Welch-Hayes.

Referee: Paul Tierney

Attendance: 2,698 (533 away)