DES Buckingham has given an insight into how events unfolded in the dugout as the Oxford United coaching staff kept track of the other scores in the Sky Bet League One play-off race.

The U’s won 2-1 at Exeter City on the final day of the season, and because Barnsley and Lincoln City dropped points, it allowed United to leapfrog both sides into fifth place.

The Tykes drew 1-1 at home to Northampton Town, while the Imps were beaten 2-0 at home to Portsmouth.

U’s head coach Buckingham said: “We had a plan, and we had all the ‘what if’ scenario planning. We were prepared for any situation, should results be going certain ways.

“We made the changes we planned to make, and the fans here gave us a hint when they started cheering for a couple of Portsmouth goals.”

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He added: “We were trying to keep a feeling of calmness, but you’re trying to juggle so many scenarios that are going on.

“It was about sticking to what we wanted to do on the pitch, and not worry about the uncontrollables.

“We tried to do that as much as we could, while also being aware of other things that were happening.

“Lewis Price was miked up to our analyst, so they were feeding back, only as and when they needed to.”