Oxford boss Aaron Ramsey was proud of his side's battling spirit as they hung on for a 1-1 draw at Mansfield with nine men after two red cards in the last 15 minutes.
They were even briefly down to eight men when Brodie Spencer had to go off after an injury stoppage, but safely navigated seven added minutes.
"I am super proud of the players and the way they finished that game," said Ramsey.
"We went down to eight men for a minute, which seemed forever. But for us to dig in and show that sort of togetherness, I couldn't have asked for any more.
"We can't beat around the bush, though. We were in control of the game and 1-0 up, so it is frustrating too.
"The first red card was obviously disappointing and a big moment in the game.
"I disagree with the decision. For me there is certainly contact in the area and it should have been a penalty.
"So for the referee to book him as well is disappointing as there is no way he [Peter Kioso] dived."
On the second red for Gatlin O'Donkor, Ramsey said: "I don't believe the first was a yellow card but the second, it is what it is.
"The response from the players after that was brilliant. This is a tough place to come and Mansfield have a long unbeaten home record."
Making his first start, Luka Lynch put Oxford ahead after 34 minutes as he cut in from the right to superbly curl the ball into the far top corner from 18 yards for his first professional goal.
Mansfield goalkeeper Liam Roberts then denied O'Donkor when he was through on goal in the 67th minute.
But Kioso picked up a second booking for what the referee felt was a dive in the box after 75 minutes.
Michael Smith then stole an equaliser in the 82nd minute as goalkeeper Jamie Cumming pushed a Stephen McLaughlin cross onto Smith at the near post and the ball somehow sneaked in.
O'Donkor's second booking for a foul with six minutes remaining then left Oxford clinging on under intense pressure.
A point at least extended Stags' unbeaten home record stretching back to February.
Nigel Clough equalled Ian Greaves' record as Mansfield's longest-serving manager on the night, and he said: "Forget the red cards, I thought we should have won the game with all the good quality chances and situations we had in the first half.
"We had 15 minutes against nine men too and should create a bit more than we did.
"Oxford's goal was a brilliant finish -- the one shot they had in the first half. As soon as he hit it, it was curling in beautifully and there's nothing you can do about it.
"But our reaction was good, we kept plugging away and eventually got a break.
"I don't know how many shots and crosses we've had, but it was enough to win two or three games.
"I thought Oxford defended incredibly well at the end and threw themselves at everything.
"But it was the first half in which we should have made it count."