JACK Stevens reflected on what might have been after Oxford United’s play-off hopes were dashed by Rotherham United.

The U’s needed to win at the New York Stadium to keep their top-six ambitions alive, but the Millers fought back from 1-0 down to triumph 2-1.

It leaves United facing a seventh successive season in Sky Bet League One, having reached the play-offs in the previous two campaigns.

THE VERDICT: Deflation replaces anticipation as Oxford United's play-off challenge fizzles out

U’s players and staff were understandably low at full-time and Stevens rued a missed opportunity.

“We’re devastated,” the goalkeeper said.

“We know we’re capable of getting into that top six and going up.

“We improved the points tally from last year and still fell short.

“We’ve let ourselves down in silly games, we’ve got to look at that and go one better next season.”

Second-placed Rotherham were in poor form and Dan Barlaser’s tenth-minute own goal gave United the perfect start.

But the Millers grew into the game and Rarmani Edmonds-Green headed home an equaliser in first-half stoppage-time.

Rotherham remained on top and Barlaser completed the turnaround from the penalty spot after Luke McNally fouled Chiedozie Ogbene just after the hour mark.

Stevens said: “We started quite well and conceding just before half-time killed us a little bit.

“We rode out the first ten minutes and then one mistake leads to the next goal.”

Rotherham caused United plenty of problems from set-pieces and Stevens felt he needed more protection from referee Charles Breakspear.

The 24-year-old said: “The ref could have done a little bit more to help me out.

“There was no chance I could get anywhere near the ball, the lads were just pinning me in.”

United could not wrestle back the momentum and will only have pride to play for when they face Doncaster Rovers in the final game of the season on Saturday.