A youthful U's team faced a full strength Boro whose fourth-minute goal from Carl Piergianni was enough to see them victorious at the Kassam Stadium.

Four senior debuts were handed out by head coach Aaron Ramsey in an underwhelming cup tie.

Here is how we rated the Yellows on Saturday...

Simon Eastwood - 7

Made three strong saves to keep the score down to just one goal, performing well when called upon once again.

Sam Long - 5.5

Admittedly, right back is probably not his preferred position and he has not played many minutes in recent weeks.

Looked slightly rusty because of it.

Aaron Lacey - 5

By no means disgraced after being thrown into the starting XI only days after returning from a loan spell at Chesham United.

Attackers Ben Broggio and Tugra Turhan proved a nifty duo and Carl Piergianni was too strong in the air for his goal.

Oxford United youngsters James Golding (left) and Aaron Lacey (right) (Image: Darrell Fisher)

James Golding - 6.5

More solid in defence and carried the ball forward with confidence.

Some good headed clearances and one just in front of the goal line.

Greg Leigh - 7

A crucial tackle on Turhan in the first half, another important hooked clearance and a threat in the opposing box.

Harrison Bradney - 6

Gave away a good few niggly fouls but was lively, wanting to get stuck in and pulling off some good sweeping passes.

A shot in the first half forced a good save from Tommy Setford.

Harrison Bradney makes a challenge (Image: Darrell Fisher)

Tyler Goodrham - 7

The most mature performance of the day, showing for the ball constantly with some inch-perfect passes forward and set piece deliveries.

Mo Missanga - 6

Grew into the game after running into some walls early on.

Boro defender Saxon Earley dealt with his threat fairly well in the first half with Missanga seeing less of the ball on the left flank in the second.

Luka Lynch - 4.5

Frustrated as a no.10, often too slow, lingering and losing the ball, with his weight of pass slightly off.

Improved when moved to the right flank but just was not his day.

Leo Snowden - 5.5

Never truly involved in attacking moves but offered some decent movement.

Gatlin O'Donkor - 6.5

A good showing from the striker against a team he has already scored against this season.

Made some great runs, worked hard and would have scored if it was not for a quality Setford save at point blank range.

Substitutes:

(Image: Darrell Fisher)

Ruben Roosken - 6

Good to see the Dutchman back for his first appearance since pre-season.

Aidomo Emakhu - 6

Offered some fresh legs but struggled to find any clear openings.

Josh Holton - N/A

Jack Lee - N/A

Maeson Vaughan - N/A