Ollie Rowland today revealed how he shoved the taunts of Oxford United's players back down their throats to earn Eastbourne Borough a lucrative FA Cup replay next week.

The 23-year-old held his nerve to fire home an 90th-minute penalty as the historic first round tie at Priory Lane ended in drama.

Borough were trailing to Steve Basham's stunning 70th-minute strike when Yemi Odubade was sent tumbling in the area by Chris Willmott.

Rowland calmly slotted home the spot kick but was ordered to retake it by referee Mike Russell after Danny Simmonds had encroached in the area.

The former England Schools international, who only took over penalty-taking duties from Scott Ramsay earlier this season, refused to be denied, though, as he made no mistake with his second attempt to send a record crowd of 3,770 into raptures.

"It was unbelievable," said Rowland. "I was in the crowd celebrating when someone told me I had to take it again. I thought they were joking at first.

"I was more nervous over the first penalty. My heart was going ten to the dozen but the second one was a bit easier.

"Their players were giving me a bit of stick saying I was going to put it in the car park but I managed to block it out. I knew what I had to do and kept my head.

"I've scored a few big goals but that was definitely the most important one of my career. But all credit should go to the lads because they were fantastic throughout the game. Hopefully we can go to their place and go one better."

Rowland's strike could prove profitable with the replay at the Kassam Stadium in the running to be shown live next Monday. If not the game will be held on on Wednesday, November 16.

The winners of the replay will face Cheltenham Town away on December 3 or 4. Town, who play in the same league as Oxford, beat Carisle 1-0 at home.