Two-goal Jack Midson described Oxford United’s 3-1 win at Chelmsford as a “good professional performance from everyone”.

The former Histon hot-shot struck twice in four minutes midway through the second half to seal the U’s passage into the last eight.

He said: “The first one I was a bit fortunate, it sort of popped out (from the keeper’s parry), but you’ve got to be in the right position to get them goals.

“With the second one, I always look for the lob. When you’re through the keeper always seems to come out as the last defender, and I’ve just lifted it over him.”

When Midson was talking to the Oxford Mail, less than 15 minutes after the final whistle, the pitch was already starting to look white-ish on top.

He admitted: “It’s frozen over now. It was tough, but it was the same for both teams. We had to deal with it the best we could and it was a good professional performance from everyone.”

Midson said he had a good view of Ryan Clarke’s outstanding save in the first half, and the bizarre penalty decisions for the home team near the end.

“I was just behind there when Ryan saved. I think it was handball, but he’s got to react to that and save it on the line, and he clawed it out.

“With the penalties, a few people said it looked like they (the officials) were trying to give them the game, but I’m sure they weren’t.

“There were a few disputed decisions, but we had a couple as well, so it probably evens itself out.”

Manager Chris Wilder was pleased that new capture Chris Hargreaves was able to get involved early on, sending him into the action near the start of the second half, but the U’s were dealt one blow with Alfie Potter having to be helped off just before the break.

“I’m delighted that Chris got on to the pitch,” he said. “I thought he showed what he’s all about, in terms of his organisation, and there were good performances all over.

“Alfie turned his ankle because there were parts of the pitch that weren’t great.

“You always run the risk when the pitch isn’t bang on – that’s no criticism of anyone at Chelmsford because they did their best to get the game on.

“And I think it was an entertaining afternoon of football because both teams had a go at it.

“In difficult conditions against difficult opponents, we’ve come through, and we’re delighted to be in the quarter-finals.

“It was never going to be easy. Stevenage came here in the FA Cup and won in the 90th-or-so minute, they’ve got good players and at times we had to defend resolutely, but I always thought we were in the game and we were a threat going forwards as well.”