STEVE Bruce was unhappy with Newcastle United's performance, but praised Oxford United for their display in the goalless draw at St James' Park.

The result sets up a replay at the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday, February 4 - although it could move if selected for television coverage.

It is bad timing for the Magpies, who were intending to spend that week in Dubai during what was meant to be their winter break.

Match report: Newcastle Utd 0, Oxford Utd 0

Bruce felt his side had been too slow in possession, but did credit their Sky Bet League One opponents.

He told Match of the Day: "Oxford, you have to say well done to them, they came and made it difficult for us but this is one of those where we didn't play well enough.

"We are still in the hat and we will go there and I am sure be better than we were tonight.

"We didn't pass the ball well enough, we didn't create enough.

"It was one of those afternoons where too many of them didn't get to a level they can.

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"It is disappointment for all those thousands that came today and we didn't play well enough to get in the tie. It was a poor performance all round.

"It is what it is. We can't make many changes because of the injuries we have.

"We accept we have had a tough time with injuries so we will be as strong as we can be."