OXFORD United’s winning run against Swindon Town was brought to an end as they drew before losing a penalty shoot-out for the bonus point at the end of a low-key Checkatrade Trophy tie.

Darnell Furlong struck the decisive spot-kick to earn the Robins two points from the game, while the visitors collected a point.

Simon Eastwood saved from Sean Murray and Luke Norris, but Liam Sercombe, Wes Thomas and Josh Ruffels were all denied from 12 yards.

United had played with ten men for almost an hour, following Alex MacDonald’s straight red card for what appeared to be a stamp on Anton Rodgers.

The visitors had carved out the clearer chances before that point, but their gameplan immediately changed.

They dug in to keep Swindon’s chances to a minimum, although Eastwood was again in excellent form to preserve his clean sheet.

It was the first time United had not won a derby since 2001, but the atmosphere was unlike any other meeting between the sides, being played out in front of just 2,698.

As promised, Michael Appleton made wholesale changes to his side from the 2-0 win at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

Among the seven players who came in, Aaron Martin, Sam Long, Dan Crowley and Tyler Roberts were making their first appearances since August.

With only two sides of the County Ground open, the game kicked off in an eerie atmosphere lacking the normal crackle of a derby.

The first Swindon chance was created by United’s Phil Edwards, whose header was wide of Eastwood – forcing the goalkeeper to scramble back towards his own goal.

The full back was also the first name in referee Paul Tierney’s notebook, hauling down Luke Norris after a mix-up between Martin and Long under a high ball.

United took time to warm-up, but they went on to have an excellent spell just before the half-hour mark.

Slick passing between Joe Rothwell and Crowley found MacDonald unmarked in the box, but the winger’s first touch allowed Will Henry to race out and block the shot.

With the next attack Crowley threaded a pass through for MacDonald. It was a tougher chance than his earlier opening and Henry parried the effort from 18 yards.

Arsenal loanee Crowley also got in round the back of a wobbling Robins’ back three, but from his cutback Rothwell had a shot blocked.

The home fans were beginning to get restless at the way their side was being overrun as United took charge.

Their momentum was emphatically halted eight minutes before the break.

MacDonald stretched into a challenge with Anton Rodgers and appeared to stamp on the midfielder as he went for the ball.

Tierney, who was not far from the incident, was certain he had seen something untoward and immediately produced the red card.

Suitably encouraged, Swindon finished the half on top.

It took an excellent one-handed save from Eastwood to keep out a low shot from Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill late in the half.

The goalkeeper brilliantly foiled Norris on the follow-up, although the striker was offside.

Tensions between the sides boiled over after the half-time whistle, with Appleton confronting Robins substitute Lawrence Vigouroux.

When play restarted, Swindon dominated as United’s ten men sat back and looked to contain.

The Robins were restricted to pot shots from range to begin with, none of which hit the target.

But after the hour mark the danger grew.

Eastwood turned a rising drive from Ormonde-Ottewill round the post and when Long survived what looked a strong claim for handball in the box, the goalkeeper denied John Goddard.

United’s attacks were sporadic, but 20 minutes from time Marvin Johnson almost came up with something special.

Picking the ball up in his own half the substitute burst past two challenges on his way to the edge of the box, where his low shot was saved.

The closing stages were low on clear chances as the game drifted towards the shoot-out, where Swindon emerged on top.

Swindon Tn (3-5-2): Henry, Furlong, Branco, Thomas, Brophy, Iandolo (Goddard 68), Rodgers (Murray 68), Smith, Ormonde-Ottewill, Norris, Delfouneso.

Unused subs: Vigouroux, Thompson, Evans, Twine.

Booked: Iandolo, Thomas, Ormonde-Ottewill.

Oxford Utd (4-4-1-1): Eastwood, Edwards, Long, Martin, Skarz, MacDonald, Rothwell, Ruffels, T Roberts, Crowley, Taylor.

Subs used: Johnson (T Roberts 63), Sercombe (Rothwell 86), Thomas (Crowley 86).

Unused subs: Brown, Welch-Hayes, Lundstram, Hemmings.

Booked: Edwards, Rothwell, Skarz, Crowley.

Sent off: MacDonald.

Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire).

Attendance: 2,698 (533 visitors).