OXFORD United won on their FA Cup fifth round debut – and they have not been past the last-16 in more than half a century since.

Tomorrow’s trip to Middlesbrough is the U’s fifth attempt to reach the quarter-finals and equal the legendary efforts achieved by the boys of ‘64.

Michael Appleton’s side may head to the north east as underdogs, but the odds were far longer when Blackburn Rovers visited the Manor Ground 53 years ago.

United were mid-table in Division 4, while the Lancashire outfit were second only to Tottenham Hotspur in the top-flight.

Full back Cyril Beavon, who made 464 appearances for United, said: “I will never forget my parents came down from Yorkshire and on our way to the game my mother said if anyone wanted her ticket they could have it, because she didn’t want to watch us lose 10-0.”

She need not have worried – a Tony Jones brace along with a Bill Calder effort sunk Rovers 3-1 in front of a then record attendance of 21,700.

The ingredients for success that day are no different to what Appleton will be looking for tomorrow.

Winger Colin Harrington said: “We had people like Ron Atkinson and Cyril Beavon who were able to make that step up in class.

“They had started with bigger clubs and dropped down, so they had a good temperament.

“That was one important thing, not to freeze on the big occasion.”

A win tomorrow would put John Lundstram and co on the same pedestal and Beavon will have his fingers crossed it happens.

“I would like to see it matched,” he said.

“I think it could well be because Middlesbrough are no great shakes at the moment and they’re not scoring at the moment.

“Oxford have taken the competition seriously and I think they have got a great chance.”