The Yellows drew 2-2 in regular time thanks to Harrison Bradney’s debut goal and an own goal from Grecians centre back Jack Fizwater.

Bradney cancelled out Taylor Perry’s seventh-minute opener with Josh Gordon regaining the lead for the hosts a minute later before the 78th-minute own goal.

Aaron Ramsey’s men sit third in Group I on one point after the draw at St James Park.

After starting on the front foot, Oxford found themselves behind after only seven minutes.

Liam Oakes’ low ball into the box following a short free kick found Perry in space who tucked home for the hosts.

Despite owning possession, Exeter were the ones to find the next shot, Charlie Cummins’ effort hitting Luka Lynch only for Jamie Cumming to get down to meet it.

The Yellows found their breakthrough at the half-hour mark.

Lynch finally made his way to the by-line into space and put the ball across goal to young midfielder Bradney whose scuffed shot bounced over the despairing Frankie Phillips.

Yellows’ celebrations were quickly quietened by the hosts who regained the lead a minute later.

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A rocket of a hit from Gordon at the edge of the penalty area beat Cumming and rippled the roof of the net.

The Grecians came forward again, Jack Fitzwater nodding narrowly wide from a corner.

Oxford picked themselves back up, Siriki Dembele darting in behind and bending a shot just wide of the post.

Bradney almost bagged a second shortly after, James Golding nodding a corner back to the midfielder who fired over at the back post.

Ramsey’s men were well in charge in the second period.

O’Donkor should have found the equaliser as Aidan Elliott-Wheeler put the ball on a plate but the striker scuffed it.

The centre forward found another chance thanks to Louie Sibley’s neat pass, but rocketed wide at the near post.

The goal eventually fell but it was a red shirt that found the net.

Peter Kioso’s cross towards O’Donkor again was met by Fitzwater who slid in to put the ball into his own goal.

The U’s went all out for a winning goal, Leo Snowden seeing two shots blocked off the bench whilst Tyler Goodrham sent two agonisingly wide from range.

A volley over the bar from Greg Leigh preceded O’Donkor seeing a shot cleared off the line which Mo Missanga then put wide with the final kick of the game.

Two saves from Phillips to deny Bradney and then Golding saw Exeter win the shootout 4-3 with Cumming making one save of his own in the shootout.

Grecians: Phillips, Samuel (Taylor 66), Fitzwater, Woodhouse, Cayless, Kite (Watts 73), Oakes, Perry (Scully 61), Cummins, Birch (Alsop 73), Gordon (Lang 73)

Yellows: Cumming, Elliott-Wheeler (Snowden 71), Long, Golding, Currie (Leigh 59), Bradney, Brannagan (Goodrham 59), Sibley, Lynch (Kioso 59), O’Donkor, Dembele (Missanga 46)

Bookings: Oakes, Kite; Golding, Sibley