JOHN Mousinho revealed his vast experience did not prevent the pre-match nerves as he made a rare start in Oxford United’s battling win at Shrewsbury Town.

The centre back was called upon after Ciaron Brown and Sam Long fell ill late last week, joining the injured Elliott Moore on the sidelines.

Mousinho had not started a Sky Bet League One game since December 2020, but led a depleted United to a 2-1 victory that kept them fourth in the table.

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The club captain is 36 next month and has made nearly 550 professional appearances, but is now often seen on the touchline as part of the club’s coaching staff.

Mousinho said: “It felt a bit like I was making my debut in some ways.

“I’m usually the one advising them on what to do and talking them through a game on the sidelines.

“You can talk a very good game, but to do it is very different.

“After five minutes those nerves did go.

“I like that I still get a bit nervous about games.

“The most important thing was not to let the lads down, because they’d played 37 games and I’ve jumped in for one.

“That was a great feeling to contribute.”

Matty Taylor’s 21st goal of the season gave United the lead, but Shrewsbury striker Ryan Bowman equalised on the hour mark.

The U’s were second-best for a spell but the momentum turned and Cameron Brannagan scored their winner from the penalty spot with seven minutes left.

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It was Mousinho’s second 90 minutes in four days, having played against Thame United in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup last Tuesday.

He said: “I had an inkling on Thursday morning. Ciaron was struggling, so I spoke to the manager.

“Longy dropped off on Friday morning, so I had a bit of time (to prepare).

“It was a blessing that I played Tuesday, it gave me a bit in my legs.”

Jack Stevens was also ruled out through illness at the last minute, so Simon Eastwood started behind 22-year-old Luke McNally, Mousinho and left back Steve Seddon.

“That was the easy bit, I thought those two were brilliant,” the U’s skipper said.

“It didn’t feel like I was playing with two players inexperienced at centre half.”

The win was United’s fourth in a row at Shrewsbury, with the last two proving vital to their play-off push.

“At the final whistle it felt massive,” Mousinho added.

“The games at Shrewsbury always seem to set us up nicely for the run-in and hopefully we can go one better than the last two years.”