STEVE Bruce admitted a 'terrific' Oxford United forced his Newcastle United side to dig deep in their Emirates FA Cup replay.
The Premier League side looked on course for a routine passage to the fifth round as they led 2-0 heading into the latter stages.
But Liam Kelly's free-kick sparked the underdogs into a fantastic comeback which saw Nathan Holland score a spectacular last-gasp equaliser.
Match report: Oxford Utd 2, Newcastle Utd 3 (aet)
It sent the tie into extra time, where the underdogs had chances to take the lead before Allan Saint-Maximin's 116th-minute rocket secured a 3-2 win.
Bruce felt the right team went through to the last 16, but acknowledged the part United played.
"To be fair to them they are a good side, a very decent outfit," Bruce told the club's website.
In pictures: Gallery from Oxford United's Cup clash
"It became too comfortable and then all of a sudden we have given a free-kick away and it's game on.
"The last five minutes there's mayhem and after that we had to dig deep because they had their tails up."
He added: "The goal gets them back in it and then with 20 seconds to go we have lost two headers, but the guy has smashed in a volley which was going in all day long.
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"It was hard work, but I think we thoroughly deserved it.
"It was a great goal to finish but they put me through the ringer.
"We missed a few chances, but all credit to Oxford, they were terrific on the night."
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