NEWCASTLE UNITED’S wretched FA Cup record plumbed yet another low as they were dumped out of the competition by League One Oxford United.

The Magpies are still to reach the FA Cup fifth round under the stewardship of Mike Ashley, and this afternoon’s embarrassment follows similar defeats to Stevenage, Brighton and Cardiff in recent seasons.

If anything, it was even worse than those reverses, with Oxford scoring three second-half goals without reply to condemn their Championship opponents to a deservedly emphatic defeat.

Newcastle missed a second-half penalty through Aleksandar Mitrovic, but Oxford fully merited their victory, which was secured thanks to goals from Kane Hemmings, Curtis Nelson and substitute Toni Martinez.

Rafael Benitez’s decision to make wholesale changes from his preferred starting XI in the Championship backfired dramatically, and while the Magpies manager will insist that winning promotion is his overriding priority, this was another deeply humiliating afternoon for a club that appears to have developed an allergy to the cup competitions.

Benitez made nine changes to the side that beat Rotherham in the league last weekend, with Isaac Hayden and Ayoze Perez the only players to survive from the game against the Millers.

As was the case in the third-round tie at Birmingham, the Magpies played with five at the back, with Massadio Haidara and Curtis Good starting on either side of Grant Hanley.

Good was making his first senior appearance since a League Cup tie at Morecambe in August 2013, but the Australian was barely tested as Newcastle dominated the opening 45 minutes.

The visitors should have been ahead at the break, but found themselves on level terms thanks to some inspired goalkeeping from Simon Eastwood and some dreadful finishing from Mitrovic.

Mitrovic was back in the side after recovering from the knee injury he sustained in the third-round tie at St Andrew’s, but the Serbian initially appeared more interested in participating in a running battle with Nelson than concentrating on leading the attack.

Referee David Coote was forced to speak the pair as early as the 15th minute, but when Mitrovic was given the chance to let his feet do the talking, he was twice found wanting.

First, he found himself released through the heart of the Oxford defence thanks to a superb through ball from Perez, but his low shot was much too close to Eastwood, and the goalkeeper was able to save with his legs.

Then, in the final minute of the first half, Mitrovic found himself with the ball at his feet in the area after a slick passing move that featured Jesus Gamez and Perez. The striker had time to pick his spot, but again his side-footed effort was too close to the keeper, enabling Eastwood to save.

Eastwood was the heavily involved throughout the first half, and he also made a fine save down to his left to keep out a fiercely-hit effort from the impressive Yasin Ben El-Mhanni.

El-Mhanni had caught the eye in Newcastle’s replay win over Birmingham, and was an influential performer once again down the Magpies’ left-hand side.

Oxford’s players showed plenty of commitment as they took on opponents from a league above them, but struggled to make much of an impact against a well-drilled Newcastle defence.

Their best chance of the opening period came to nothing when Rob Hall’s low shot was saved by Matz Sels at his near post, although they also threatened when John Lundstram drilled a low shot wide from 20 yards.

The hosts’ previous outing had seen them score four goals at Rochdale, and their attacking capabilities were evident as they claimed the lead within a minute of the restart.

A well-worked short corner routine resulted in Chris Maguire swinging over a cross from the right, and after Chey Dunkley nodded the ball across the face of the goal from the back post, Hemmings swooped to slot home from close range.

Newcastle’s attempt at an immediate response came to nothing when Achraf Lazaar’s shot from the corner of the area was deflected over, and the visitors went close again shortly after when Hanley volleyed over from a corner.

Hayden headed straight at Eastwood from another corner shortly after the hour mark, but while Dan Barlaser flashed a 22-yard effort narrowly wide of the post, Oxford hardly found themselves under siege as they attempted to hold on to their lead.

Newcastle’s best chance came of a leveller came in the 66th minute, but Mitrovic’s  afternoon went from bad to worse as he failed to convert from the spot.

The Serbian won the penalty himself, as he was fouled by Phil Edwards after a slick one-two with Hayden sent him galloping into the box.

Mitrovic’s low penalty was directed towards the bottom left-hand corner of the net, but Eastwood got down superbly to claw the ball away. It was a fantastic save from a goalkeeper who was clearly intent on repelling anything that was thrown at him.

Oxford came close to a second with 20 minutes left, Hall hammering a first-time volley narrowly wide after Marvin Johnson’s initial effort was blocked, and the hosts found themselves with an increased amount of space to exploit as Newcastle pushed men upfield in search of an equaliser.

However, when they did eventually double their lead with ten minutes left, their goal came from another set-piece.

The ball was swung over from a left-wing corner, and Nelson comprehensively out-jumped Hayden as he powered home a header from eight yards. Hanley, stood with his hands on his hips, was clearly incensed at Hayden’s failure to keep tabs on his man.

There was still time for things to get worse, with Newcastle conceding a third goal with three minutes left. Hall swung over an inviting cross from the right, and Martinez stole ahead of his marker to glance an excellent header into the far corner of the net.

Oxford (4-5-1): Eastwood, Edwards, Dunkley, Nelson, Skarz, Hall, Lundstram, Ledson, Johnson, Maguire (Martinez 70), Hemmings (Sercombe 82).

Subs (not used): Agboola, MacDonald, Ruffels, Rothwell, Raglan.

Newcastle (5-4-1): Sels; Gamez, Hanley, Good, Haidara (Ritchie 77), Lazaar; Perez, Hayden, Barlaser, El-Mhanni (Gouffran 68); Mitrovic.

Subs (not used): Elliot, Dummett, Lascelles, Yedlin, Shelvey.