A YOUNGTSER emulated his dad by walking out onto a football pitch with an Oxford United captain against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Football mad Zach Gardner's dreams came true when the six-year-old walked onto the hallowed turf of the Kassam Stadium holding the hand of John Lundstram on Tuesday night.

Just over 20 years ago, his dad Kevin, 30, held the hand of U's star Paul Moody when they took on the Seagulls at the Sussex club's old Goldstone Ground.

Mr Gardener, who lives in Brighton, said his son was "starstruck" and loved the occasion despite Michael Appleton's side suffering a 4-0 thrashing.

The lifelong Oxford United fan, whose family is from Blackbird Leys added: "I was a mascot in 1995 and it was nice to see Zach do the same.

"We are big Oxford United fans, the whole family are and I regularly come to watch them, but it was my son's first time at the Kassam.

"He was starstruck. He absolutely loved it. He's always playing football and to be able to walk onto a proper football pitch with proper players excited him."

The family also enjoyed hospitality in one of the club's boxes.

The defeat showed United's need for attacking reinforcements as Brighton proved too strong in a pre-season friendly.

Goalkeeper Simon Eastwood made several good saves to keep United in the game until the final quarter, but at the other end the hosts struggled to create chances.