Oxford City booked their place in the second round draw, but were thankful for a last-minute disallowed goal which kept their FA Cup campaign intact with a 0-0 at Redbridge’s Oakside Stadium on Saturday.

It would have been a travesty of justice had the goal stood, as City could, and perhaps should have been out of sight before Matt Turpin’s strike deep into stoppage time was chalked off for a foul on City keeper Keith McLoughlin.

Mike Ford’s men had been dealt a major blow before kick-off with the news that fourth-qualifying round hero, goalkeeper Jason Mooney was out because of complications arising from his leg infection, but in the event, veteran McLoughlin had little to do.

In fact, it was home keeper Adam Rafis, nephew of ex-Arsenal and England defender Tony Adams, who produced the Mooney-like heroics to keep his side in the Cup.

In a scrappy first half, too many high and wayward passes resulted in the ball being given away, with both teams as culpable as each other.

City’s first chance fell to Darren Pond in the 12th minute, but he drilled over from the edge of the box At the other end, McLoughlin was quick off his line to block at Joe Gardner’s feet.

City defender Andy Ballard smashed a 20-yard effort wide of the left-hand post, and the lively Felipe Barcelos was denied by Rafis.

The closest either side came was just before half-time when, out of the blue, City midfielder Declan Benjamin spotted a gap in the home defence to rifle in a 30-yard effort.

Rafis was well-beaten, but the ball rebounded off the foot of the right-hand post.

City were far more composed after the break, and they dominated the game.

A Barcelos free-kick found Steve Basham in the box, but he headed into Rafis’s arms, while moments later, Ballard struck another effort wide from Jack Ashton’s long defensive clearance.

City were having a purple patch, only some desperate defending in the box denying Basham and Barcelos.

Rafis again came to Redbridge’s rescue on the hour, beating away Barcelos’s powerful point-blank shot for a corner.

And Rafi sproduced a wonderful save moments later.

Benjamin worked his way into the box from Steele’s pass, only to see his effort from six yards somehow kept out by Rafis’s left hand.

With City struggling to find a breakthrough, there was time for some late drama.

With the clock ticking into the fifth minute of injury time, Redbridge were awarded a corner from a rare foray into City’s half.

The ball was turned in at close range by Matt Turpin, but the effort was ruled out as Gardner was adjudged to have impeded McLoughlin.

City will have high hopes for the replay at Court Place Farm on November 22, but now know Redbridge will be a tough nut to crack.

Oxford City: McLoughlin, J Clarke, Learoyd, Ballard, Pond, Blossom, Lyon, Benjamin (Martin 83), Barcelos, Basham (Steele 62), Ashton. Subs not used: Fleet, M Clark, Isaac.

Redbridge: Rafis, Turpin, Durrant, Haywood, Golby, Trenkel, Bradbury (Stamp 90), Hopkins, Murray (St Hilaire 86), Gardner, Gordon (Robinson 67). Subs not used: Wood, Hepburn, Best, Wooten.

Attendance: 465.