MARK Harris has spoken about the celebratory scenes which led to him collecting a nasty black eye.

Josh Murphy fired Oxford United into the lead against Bolton Wanderers in the Sky Bet League One play-off final at Wembley, with the U’s players rushing over to celebrate.

It was then that Joe Bennett jumped onto the back of Murphy, with Harris then leaping onto Bennett, but caught an accidental whack in the face from the United left back.

Harris said: “Benno jumped on top of Murph, and I jumped on top of Benno, and we collided, and this is what happens.”

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Oxford Mail: Oxford United striker Mark Harris sporting his black eyeOxford United striker Mark Harris sporting his black eye (Image: Mike Allen)

Harris ended the season with 19 goals in all competitions, one short of his well-documented 20-goal target.

The 25-year-old said: “I was gutted not to get to 20, but we got promoted, so who cares? It was a tough game, but I thought we did really well.

“Murph was the hero, and was unbelievable with his two goals. It was a tough game, but we got over the line, and that’s what I came here to do, so I’m buzzing.

“It was the best day in football I’ve ever had. That feeling when that final whistle went was indescribable.

“The way the fans have been in the last few months, they’ve pushed us along. We were in a tough time three months ago, we lost 5-0 to Bolton, but the fans have been brilliant.

“All the lads have been brilliant. We’re all together and we’ve all worked hard in this group, and we’ve done it.”

Oxford Mail:

Swansea-born Harris came through the academy at Cardiff City, and went on to score 10 goals in 95 appearances for the Bluebirds.

Cardiff made an offer to the out of contract Harris in June of last year, but no deal was struck, and he subsequently joined the U’s on July 11.

Promotion to the Championship means Harris is set to come up against both Cardiff and Swansea City next season.

Asked by the Oxford Mail which of the two he is more looking forward to facing, Harris responded: “I’ll go for Cardiff. I’m looking forward to going back there. There are a lot of good teammates and a lot of good friends. I’m looking forward to playing them.”

Harris also had loan spells with Newport County, Port Vale and Wrexham during his time with the Bluebirds.

He was part of the 26-man Wales squad which went to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, however he failed to make an appearance as Rob Page’s side finished bottom of Group B, behind England, USA and Iran.

Harris has won five caps for Wales, who play Gibraltar and Slovakia in international friendlies next month.