SCOTT Shearer looked to spread the credit after the goalkeeper was the hero in Oxford United’s Checkatrade Trophy penalty shoot-out victory at the Valley.

An injury to Simon Eastwood saw the 36-year-old pressed into service for only the second time this season.

But he grasped the chance with both hands and after the third-round tie finished 1-1, he saved Charlton Athletic’s first two spot-kicks from Johnnie Jackson and Stephy Mavididi.

The third was ballooned over the crossbar by Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, as Alex Mowatt, Jon Obika and Agon Mehmeti netted for United.

Shearer admitted he was licking his lips at penalties, but was quick to thank others, especially United’s backroom team.

“I love it, you can only be the hero with penalties and luckily tonight it went my way,” he said.

“It was a bit of mind games with the third one – he was a young lad so you’ve got to use your experience.

“We’ve got a great analysis team with Bondy (Dan Bond). We worked a lot on it before the game because it’s important, so a lot of credit goes to the team behind the scenes.”

Shearer’s only other appearance came in a 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion’s Under 21a back in October, when the Seagulls scored all five of their penalties in the shoot-out.

But the experienced stopper was unfazed by the prospect of coming in at short notice.

He said: “It’s just one of those things that when you’re called upon you’ve got to be ready.

“It was a poor start from us, we admit to that. But it’s a positive we could change the game in our favour.

“The defence were absolutely amazing, the amount of blocks they made were countless.”

Pep Clotet was unhappy with the way his side were sitting deep in the first half, which allowed the home side to take control of the game.

But the fightback in the second half, where Wes Thomas cancelled out Karlan Ahearne-Grant’s early opener, delighted the United boss.

He said: “The game was hard in the beginning for us, our intensity was not there.

“I think the second half is a massive credit to the lads because we identified the mistakes in the first half and what to do.”

“They went beyond what I was expecting and we had clear chances, we could have won the game.

“I’m very satisfied to go through.”