Defender Mickey Corcoran says he is "devastated" to be missing out on the play-offs with Oxford United.

The Northern Ireland Under 21 international, who initially joined on loan from Championship side Cardiff, has played a big part in getting the U's into the play-offs.

But he is ineligble to play in any of the play-off matches because when he joined, Corcoran signed on an emergency 93-day loan rather than on a deal until the end of the season.

"I'm very disappointed, but there's nothing I can do about it," Corcoran said.

"I knew it was one of those situations that was going to happen, I've just got to get on with it. I'll be there watching and supporting the boys."

He admitted how frustrating it will be for him to miss out.

"I'm devastated . . . I'd love to play in the play-offs," he said.

"I kind of knew at the start when I first came, so I took it that I would just try to play as much as I could and if the play-offs came about, that would be a bonus.

"But it's not to be."

Corcoran didn't expect to play in the final two Conference games against Stafford and York, after Jim Smith said he wouldn't play him because he wouldn't be involved in the play-offs.

However, United's manager changed his mind when he decided it would be better to give other key defenders a break.

Corcoran said: "If the manager had wanted to drop me because I couldn't play in the play-offs, I would have completely understood."