SIMON Eastwood was delighted to inspire Oxford United to a stunning 3-0 victory over Newcastle United this afternoon.

Kane Hemmings, Curtis Nelson and Toni Martinez, on debut, scored the goals as the U's reached the fifth round for the first time since 1994.

But Eastwood was named man-of-the-match by the sponsors after a sensational display.

The goalkeeper made three super first-half stops, but saved his best for after the break when he kept out Aleksandar Mitrovic's spot-kick.

"The first save was quite comfortable but I was pleased with the ones with my legs," he said.

"They are not always easy.

"The penalty was probably the turning point. If they score that I'm sure they would have put us under real pressure.

"I didn't know what way he was going. It was a guess. But I'm delighted with it.

"The result is massive for us and the clean sheet just caps a great day."

Nelson heaped praise on United's No 1.

He said: "Easty was on fire and it just shows how good a keeper he is.

"We’ve seen it through the season and today he was on top form. We’re all very grateful he’s behind us."

Nelson's header was his first goal since joining United from Plymouth Argyle in the summer.

The centre back, who missed a glaring opportunity in the 4-0 win at Rochdale last week, said: "It’s been a while in coming.

"I had that chance last week but it went begging across the face of goal.

"This week I managed to get my head on it and put it in the back of the net.

"We were always going to try and take the game to them, regardless of what team they’ve put out.

"We’re the underdogs, but you’re always going to have a chance in the FA Cup."

Hemmings said: "Newcastle are a massive team, probably a Premier League team, so I'm delighted that we turned them over.

"I thought we were really good, every player to a man was at least a nine out of ten and we got exactly what we deserved.

"It's a competition that has been good to me this year and I'm just delighted to get the goal to set us on our way.

"We're in the fifth round of the FA Cup and it's not every year a League One team can say that, so I'm delighted and hopefully there are more goals to come."