Oxford United midfielder Chris Hargreaves feels that a ten-year-old pair of extra-thick shinpads saved him from a serious injury recently.

The Cleethorpes-born player suffered serious bruising in the 0-0 draw with Kidderminster Harriers on Tuesday after a dangerously high tackle from fullback Paul Bignot.

The on-loan Crewe defender subsequently got his marching orders for the challenge and Hargreaves has revealed that his shinpads absorbed the brunt of the tackle.

"I think it was my shinnies that saved me," Hargreaves told The Oxford Mail.

"They're from ten years ago and are reinforced carbon fibre ones. They cost a lot of money at the time, and I think the missus baulked at just how expensive they were, but I'm sure they saved me from serious injury."

"It was a dangerous challenge, but I don't think he meant it," said regarding Bignot's challenge.

"Kidderminster's manager, Mark Yates, was great . . . he came over and said the lad had told him he didn't mean it. These things happen in football."

Yates said: "I've got no problem with the referee sending Paul off. He's told me he simply mistimed the tackle. There was no malice in it, I'm sure.

"It showed the spirit that we held on with ten men and the fact that we've become the first side to stop Oxford scoring this season was down to the workrate our players put in."