NICKY Maynard played 90 minutes as Oxford United Under 23s lost 5-1 at Peterborough United.

The 31-year-old free agent has been training with the U’s and the behind-closed-doors friendly at London Road was his first chance to impress.

He played the whole game, but an experienced Posh side ensured it ended with a heavy defeat.

The visitors, who also fielded Jack Stevens, Charlie Raglan and Fabio Lopes, were 3-0 down inside half an hour.

Aaron Heap, fresh from a debut for Northern Ireland Under 19s, impressed off the bench, but Peterborough stretched their lead in the second half.

United’s consolation came four minutes from time.

Harvey Bradbury, who has just completed a loan spell with Hungerford Town, headed home from six yards.

Under 23 coach Chris Allen told the U’s website: “Peterborough had a really strong side and played really well.

“There were a lot of players with plenty of first team experience in their side and we started too slowly.”

Oxford Utd: Stevens, Long, Raglan, Johnson-Fikula (Berry-Hargreaves 46), Taylor, R James (Hopkins 46), Triallist, Triallist (Heap 28), Maynard, Bradbury, Lopes (Taverner 74).