AJ George’s delight at making his first-team debut for Oxford United was tempered by the side’s 1-0 defeat at Northampton Town.

The versatile 18-year-old attacker came on as a substitute and almost made an immediate impact with a dangerous cross which was missed by Cobblers goalkeeper Adam Smith.

Unfortunately for the visitors, no-one in yellow could get on the ball in the six-yard box after Callum O’Dowda had diverted it back across goal.

For George, another product from United’s academy, the result was more important than his personal milestone.

He said: “It was a good day in terms of me individually, but on the whole as a team we’re quite disappointed with the defeat.

“Even though I’m happy I think that’s overshadowed.

“I would have rather stayed on the bench and the team won to be honest.”

For a moment it looked as though the teenager would not get on, with the ball staying in play while he stood ready for action on the sideline.

George said: “It was quite long waiting for the ball to go out at the right moment.

“I was hoping to help the team with a goal or an assist, but it wasn’t to be.”

He added: “It was hard to break them down and we tried our best, but I think it wasn’t one of our better performances.

“We had chances and could have got back into it, but it was just a bad day for us as a whole.”