OXFORD United will be in Monday’s Emirates FA Cup third round draw, but they will need to play far better to beat Macclesfield Town in the replay.

The non-league hosts created the lion’s share of the goalscoring chances at Moss Rose, but a mixture of fine goalkeeping, poor finishing and luck kept them out.

United were second best for all bar a brief spell after the break, but they will be far happier to have a second bite at the cherry later this month.

Simon Eastwood was excellent to preserve his clean sheet, sparing Chey Dunkley’s blushes in the first half and he came up with an even better stop to keep out Paul Lewis 15 minutes from time.

Macclesfield came even closer late on, only for the upright to deny the dangerous Jack Mackreth on a night where United also lost Joe Skarz to injury.

Appleton promised changes and when the teamsheet arrived it showed four alterations from the side which started the 1-1 draw at Scunthorpe last weekend.

A foot injury saw Curtis Nelson replaced by Aaron Martin, Joe Rothwell came in for the suspended John Lundstram, while Tyler Roberts and Marvin Johnson were preferred to Kane Hemmings and Rob Hall.

Macclesfield wasted no time in getting on the front foot and within two minutes Martin had to cut out a dangerous cross from Paul Lewis.

John McCombe’s overhead kick from the resulting corner went wide, but the tone had been set.

Macclesfield, backed by a vociferous crowd, had their tails up and in right winger Mackreth they had a player who caused real problems.

The experienced Joe Skarz, captain for the night in Lundstram’s absence, was beaten in the fifth minute, but from the pacy wide man’s deep cross Danny Rowe headed across goal.

It summed up a first half where Macclesfield created all the best chances, but struggled to hit the target.

The exception came midway through the half, when Chey Dunkley almost put through his own net.

After Skarz dithered 20 yards out, the ball rolled loose and with Chris Holroyd set to pounce for a tap-in, the centre back thrust out a leg which needed a point blank save from Eastwood to prevent embarrassment.

At the other end, Macclesfield goalkeeper Craig Ross’s only action was to collect deflected shots from Chris Maguire and Roberts.

United were desperate for someone to step up and take the initiative, but the Silkmen continued to ask all the questions.

Just after the half-hour mark a Joe Rothwell dribble was halted and Macclesfield broke into the empty space. The experienced Danny Whitaker played in Lewis, who should have done better than lash off target from 15 yards.

The midfielder shot wide with another effort and both Mackreth and Andy Halls followed suit with wild efforts.

The half-time whistle will have been very welcome for a United side in need of regrouping.

Johnson hit the top of the crossbar with a mis-hit centre shortly after the restart, but otherwise the pattern of the game continued.

United lost Skarz to an injury and Eastwood remained the busier of the two goalkeepers, saving a curled shot from Whitaker and tipping over David Fitzpatrick’s wayward cross.

Just after the hour the visitors turned to Taylor, who made a difference coming off the bench.

Having someone to hold the ball up gave United a foothold in the Macclesfield half and they went on to have their best spell of the game.

Chey Dunkley headed Maguire’s free-kick against the outside of the post midway through the half.

With 20 minutes remaining Macclesfield goalkeeper Craig Ross was finally stretched.

Josh Ruffels, on for Skarz, pulled a cross back for Roberts, who did not catch his shot cleanly but it still needed an excellent save to keep it out.

At that stage Macclesfield looked to be tiring, but they rallied strongly.

Lewis must have thought he had scored when he made good contact on a Rowe cross, only to look up and see Eastwood make an outstanding one-handed save.

The U’s goalkeeper was beaten by Mackreth ten minutes from time, but the winger’s strike from 12 yards struck the right-hand post and bounced clear.

Macclesfield heads were in hands and they did not come as close to winning the game late on.

Maguire had the final effort with a free-kick 20 yards out, but fired over to ensure the sides will meet again at the Kassam Stadium.

Macclesfield Tn (4-1-4-1): Ross, Halls, Pilkington, McCombe, Fitzpatrick, Hancox, Mackreth, Lewis, Whitaker, Rowe, Holroyd.

Unused subs: Byrne, Sampson, James, Cowan, Sutherland, Madeley, Cook.

Booked: Hancox.

Oxford Utd (4-4-2): Eastwood, Edwards, Dunkley, Martin, Skarz, MacDonald, Rothwell, Ledson, Johnson, Maguire, T Roberts.

Subs used: Ruffels (Skarz 51), Taylor (Rothwell 63), Hemmings (T Roberts 79).

Unused subs: Buchel, Welch-Hayes, Carroll, Hall.

Booked: Dunkley, Johnson.

Referee: Seb Stockbridge (Tyne & Wear).

Attendance: 2,566 (314 visitors).