Hillingdon Borough 1, Oxford City 1:Oxford City gave a disappointing display as they were held to a draw away to Hillingdon Borough in the FA Cup first qualifying round on Saturday.
There was little to enthuse about in a first half that lacked the passion of a cup tie, and with nothing to choose between the two sides, it was difficult to see where a goal was coming from.
One did eventually arrive and it went to City on 36 minutes.
The ball was played into the area and Sam Shepherd set up Colin Simpson for his sixth goal of the season.
The goal did give the visitors more impetus, and Simpson might have added to his impressive tally when he was put in by Danny Wise, but the former Purfleet striker's effort went straight into the hands of home keeper Matt Ferguson.
The second period was only five minutes old when Hillingdon equalised. Confusion between Lewis Craker and keeper Steve Benbow allowed Shanton Towel the simple task of putting the loose ball into the net.
Wise had a header palmed away by Ferguson, while at the other end, Scott Dash for Hillingdon might have done better than blaze wide from a good position.
Several chances followed for City. A strike from substitute Jamie Charles flew just past a post, and a Justin Lee powerdriver rattled the home crossbar, but overall, it was an unconvincing performance.
The replay is on Tuesday night at Court Place Farm (7.45).
Oxford C: Benbow, Abbassi, Crosby, Craker (Charles 62), Brown, Antonowicz, Lee, Shepherd, Simpson (Phelan 52), Wise, Ballard (Jenkins 45). Subs not used: Whitehead, Dark.
Referee: M O'Keefe (Orpington).
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