SCORING the first penalty in Oxford United’s shoot-out win over Forest Green Rovers capped a surreal 48 hours for Gatlin O’Donkor.

At just 16 years and 55 days, the striker became the U’s youngest-ever player when he was brought on late in the Papa John’s Trophy second round tie.

The teenager had barely touched the ball when referee Craig Hicks blew the full-time whistle with the score 1-1, but volunteered to take the first spot-kick.

He sent goalkeeper Luke McGee the wrong way to set United on course for a 4-1 shoot-out win, with Sean Clare, Mide Shodipo and John Mousinho also finding the net.

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It came only a day after O’Donkor was dragged out of school to join first-team training and he admitted it was something of a fairytale.

He said: “I can’t really comprehend it, because I couldn’t imagine myself being here.

“I felt like I was going to miss.

“When I saw the clock I thought if this goes to penalties I’m going to take the first one.

“Last time I changed my mind and I missed.

“I said to myself I would go bottom left and stuck with it.”

The youngster was a goalkeeper until Under 13 level and was only picked up by United last year.

But after impressing for the U’s Under 18s, he was promoted to the senior side for the Trophy tie and came off the bench in the 85th minute.

It saw him beat Tyler Goodrham’s record, set against Crawley Town last November, by 43 days.

O’Donkor, who will be back in school today, added: “I never thought it would come this quick.

“This time last year I couldn’t have imagined making my first team debut and scoring a penalty.”

U’s boss Karl Robinson said: “We asked who wanted the penalties and he said ‘me’ right away.

“He showed a real steely edge to him, which is quite unique for a young player.”

Odin Bailey had put the Sky Bet League Two side ahead on the stroke of half-time, before Mide Shodipo levelled just after the hour mark.

The winger produced a cheeky ‘Panenka’ chip to score his penalty in the shoot-out and Robinson admired his bravery.

He said: “He did it in training and I said ‘if that misses, you’re in for it'.

“He knew the consequences and he trusted his talent."