ALEX Gorrin says he would have fancied his chances of scoring a penalty in Oxford United's play-off shoot-out - even if his mum did not share the same confidence.

As it turned out, the midfielder was not considered for spot kick duties against Portsmouth.

Instead he was replaced with second remaining in extra time by John Mousinho, who was part of the U's flawless five takers which sealed a place in Monday's Sky Bet League One final against Wycombe Wanderers.

Gorrin said: "The boys were brilliant to step up and get five out of five when the pressure's on.

"It's pretty funny. I would have liked to take one, but when I called my family after the game my mum said 'I was kind of happy they took you off so you weren't going to miss'.

"I said 'thanks mum, you've got a lot of belief in me'.

Also read: Gareth Ainsworth relishes ‘tasty’ play-off with Oxford United

"I have been practising penalties. I don't think the gaffer would have put me at the front, but I was ready to take one."

The 26-year-old risked not being on the pitch long enough to be substituted after catching Pompey's Andy Cannon earlier in extra time.

Gorrin said: "It wasn't malicious. I had a bad touch and just went after the ball.

"Tackling is part of the game and I'm a very aggressive player, but not in a bad way.

"My intention wasn't to hurt anyone. Maybe on the image it looked a little bit bad, but that wasn't my intention."

Hopes of promotion to the Championship are still alive, but United's extended season due to coronavirus has kept Gorrin away from his family in Tenerife.

Under normal circumstances they would have flown across to be at Wembley on Monday, but instead the midfielder will have to wait a little longer to see them, when he flies home after the final.

He said: "It's disappointing, but it's the circumstances. It's bigger than football and we have to deal with it.

"It's hard, but it's been like that for many people.

"When this is finished I'm going to go back home. The main thing during lockdown is everyone's healthy and well.

"I'm looking forward to having the final, hopefully things go our way and then have a little bit of a break back home.

"But I hope the next season will come fast."