Both teams showed eight changes from the weekend, with four players making their debuts for the Hornets.

One of those, Croatian striker Stipe Perica, almost scored inside 60 seconds but his shot well saved by Jack Stevens.

Perica went even closer on 11 minutes, heading Toby Stevenson's cross onto the bar.

But Oxford then created a mass of chances. Derick Osei and Cameron Brannagan forced good saves out of Bachmann, and centre half Elliott Moore shot against the post at a corner.

Cooper also blazed over from six yards.

Watford had to play with 10 men in the closing stages when Marc Navarro hobbled off after all their subs had been made.

But Sema fired into an empty net at the death after Joao Pedro mis-kicked, to set up the shoot-out where Watford prevailed.