Oxford United 6

Heslop (18 & 90), Constable (27 & 57), Green, (23), Midson (31)

Bristol Rovers 1

Lines (24)

Rovers bowed out of the Carling Cup at the First Round stage this evening, as Oxford comfortably won the tie 6-1.

It was a poor performance from Paul Trollope's side, who were outfought by an Oxford side who showed a desire to compete and to win ever ball.

It was a result that didn't seem likely in the early stages of the game, as Rovers looked comfortable on the ball and appeared capable of achieving their first win of the new campaign.

All that changed as the home side scored twice in the space of five minutes and although Rovers quickly his back to reduce the deficit they conceded another two goals and were 4-1 down after 31 minutes.

Two further goals were conceded after the break to make it an embarrassing scoreline.

With first choice goalkeeper Mikkel Andersen in Italy with the Danish U-21 squad, Mike Green made his long awaited senior debut for Rovers tonight.

Danny Coles and Wayne Brown were both rested from the starting lineup and their places were taken by Carl Regan and Chris Lines respectively.

Former Rovers keeper Ryan Clarke was in the Oxford lineup and faced his old side for the first time since leaving the Memorial Stadium

The opening five minutes saw both sides search for an opening, and it was the home side who struck first, as James Constable headed wide of the target.

At the other end Will Hoskins failed to control a pinpoint cross from Carl Regan and the ball was cleared at the expense of a corner.

Dominic Blizzard then set up skipper Stuart Campbell, who curled a shot over the bar.

The first goal arrived on 18 minutes when Simon Heslop picked up a loose ball some twenty yards from goal and drove the ball into the bottom corner of the net giving Mike Green no chance of saving.

Jo Kuffour and Blizzard both had shots charged down before the home side scored again on 23 minutes. There was a suspicion of offside as Matt Green ran on to a through ball and advanced on goal. Left in a one on one situation with his namesake in Rovers goal, the Oxford man comfortably beat the keeper to put his side further ahead.

Within a minute though Rovers pulled a goal back as Chris Lines stroked the ball past Ryan Clarke from the edge of the area.

Oxford restored their two goal advantage on 27 minutes when Green beat Sawyer to the ball and again advanced on goal. He paused on the edge of the area and slipped the ball to Constable who slotted the ball home.

Things got worse for Rovers four minutes later when Rovers were unable to clear their lines and a loose ball fell to Jack Midson who comfortably beat Green for goal number four.

Hoskins and James Tunnicliffe both hit long range shots over Clarke's crossbar before the break, but there was another opportunity for the home side before the break when Green fired an angled drive wide when well placed.

Kuffour hit a shot wide of the upright early in the second half, but it proved to be a rare Rovers attack.

Constable scored his second goal of the evening on 57 minutes, executing a perfect volley from Damian Batt's cross and the home side continued to take the game to their visitors throughout the second period.

Goalkeeper Mike Green made a superb fingertip save from Heslop , substitute Simon Clist hit a shot wide of the upright and Midson saw another shot saved by Geen.

The home side could easily have added to their before Heslop curled a shot in off the post in the last minute to complete the rout.

Rovers: Mike Green, Carl Regan, Byron Anthony, James Tunnicliffe, Gary Sawyer, Chris Lines, Stuart Campbell, Dominic Blizzard (Charlie Reece, 50), Will Hoskins, Jo Kuffour, Jeff Hughes (Ben Swallow, 67)

Substitutes: Danny Coles, Darryl Duffy, Wayne Brown, Eliot Richards, Harry Pell

Booked: Lines (28)

Oxford United: Ryan Clarke, Damian Batt, Jake Wright, Harry Worley, Anthony Tonkin, Simon Heslop, Dannie Bulman, Asa Hall (Simon Clist, 68),  Matt Green (Alfie Potter, 60),  James Constable (Sam Deering, 77), Jack Midson

Substitutes: Mark Creighton, Mitchell Cole, Ritchie Baker, Simon Eastwood

Referee: Mr F Graham

Attendance; 5,008

Rovers supporters: 661