Appleton proud of Oxford effort

Michael Appleton expressed his pride after seeing his Oxford side take West Brom to penalties in the Capital One Cup.

The League Two club are 79 places below the Baggies in the footballing pyramid and a late goal by the United's Danny Hylton drew Oxford level to take the match to 1-1 and into extra-time and penalties. The match was also significant as it was a return for Appleton to a club where he spent 10 years, first as a player and then as a coach. He played for the midlands club from 2001 to 2003 before injury forced him to retire. He rose up the coaching ranks with Albion all the way up to the assistant's role, once taking charge as caretaker manager. Speaking after they lost 7-6 on penalties, a proud Appleton told Yellow Player: "I am very proud. "The first half was a little bit frustrating because we paid them a little bit too much respect really, but in the second half and in extra time I couldn't have asked for any more from the players. We created lots and lots of opportunities and kept the ball really well at times against a side that paid us the utmost respect with the team they put out. "Not taking the chances in extra-time probably cost us but from Max (Crocombe) in goal right through to the lads who came off the bench they were all fantastic and I said to them afterwards to take confidence from it and move on very quickly. We have a job to do and I hope that the performances continue because the results will go for us if they do." "I am disappointed not to come away having got through to the next round but ultimately I genuinely believe a win on Saturday is 10 times more important than getting one here." He was also complimentary towards the fans which travelled to the Hawthorns: "The fans helped us massively, especially when we were under the cosh a little bit in the first half. But then they got a bit of belief, we kept the ball a little bit better and you could see the players responding to that and that's when we took the game to West Brom." Breaking news, transfer gossip, line ups and goal alerts from your football club - delivered direct to your mobile. Sign up for Sky Sports Alerts