The U’s head coach had already lost Josh McEachran to injury just before half-time, with Will Vaulks coming on in midfield, and made his second alteration with 22 minutes to go.

Tottenham Hotspur loanee Dane Scarlett replaced United goalscorer Ruben Rodrigues, a move which saw Harris drift out towards the right, Tyler Goodrham shuffle into midfield, and Scarlett go up front.

Eight minutes later, Harris conceded a soft-looking penalty for a foul on Haydon Roberts, and Nahki Wells smashed home from 12 yards to put the Robins in front.

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It was the first time that Harris and Scarlett have played on the pitch together, and Buckingham said: “Dane’s been really good in training, and at 1-1, you want to keep the goalscorers on the pitch.

“It was a case of narrowing Mark off, rather than being a winger, to allow PK [Peter Kioso] to get further forward.

“It was just something a little bit different in possession. We’re quite reserved most of the time with our full backs.

“It wasn’t about Mark playing as a winger, it was about him playing a bit narrower inside and almost partnering Dane, and allowing PK the freedom to release under.

“We felt we’d be able to pin them back by doing that, and that was the thinking behind that.”

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Buckingham added: “We’re doing things in-game that are going to firstly try and keep us in the game.

“I felt they were starting to get momentum at that moment, and they were getting momentum because they were starting to pin us back, so we were looking at ways to try and force them back.

“You want to keep your goalscorers on. We’ve brought Dane here, who’s a good player, and we’ve been trusted with his development. We need to recognise moments when we can give him a chance.”