KARL Robinson backed his Oxford United players to create their own intensity with a place at Wembley on the line tonight.

A 1-1 draw at Fratton Park on Friday left the Sky Bet League One semi-final against Portsmouth in the balance.

Now everything rests on the second leg at the Kassam Stadium (5pm), where extra time and penalties will be used if the sides cannot be separated.

A place in the final a week today is on the line and Robinson reckons both sides will fancy their chances.

The United head coach said: “I think if I was Kenny (Jackett, Portsmouth’s manager) I’d be planning for Wembley and if it’s us you’ve got to look at it as well.

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“I think both sets of teams will think they can achieve what they want.

“The one thing you would say is these two groups of players really deserve to be in the positions they find themselves in.

“No one thought Oxford United would be pushing for the second leg of the

play-offs on level terms bringing them back to our place.”

As with the first leg, the home team will not be able to count on packed stands.

Coronavirus restrictions mean the Kassam will be devoid of fans, apart from hundreds of cardboard cut-outs.

Volunteers have been busy over the weekend to leave their mark, though, with supporters’ trust OxVox taking delivery of more than 50 flags to form a display in the North Stand.

“It’s a shame we can’t have it like one of those cup nights at the Manor, but we’ll create our own intensity,” Robinson, speaking on Friday, said.

“We’re recovering on Saturday at the stadium and training on Sunday, getting ready to rock ‘n’ roll on Monday night.

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“Let’s hope we can achieve the ultimate goal and get ourselves to Wembley.”

After a tight affair on the south coast, there is a feeling tonight could see some fireworks.

Midfielder James Henry said: “It was a very cagey affair, both teams had a go but I expect it to be a lot more explosive on Monday night.”

For Robinson, the status of the tie makes things very simple, especially with away goals not counting extra.

The U’s boss said: “It’s a one-off game now, a shoot-out.

“Sometimes being level is a better result than leading, which is a crazy statement.

“But sometimes when you’re leading you get caught in between two schools of thought – do you sit back and try to hit them on the break, or get in their faces and make it difficult?

“We’re in a good place, Portsmouth will say they are as well.

“They will say the home advantage is level, but we’re looking forward to playing on our turf.

“There’s a lot of football still to be played.”