MATT Paterson struck the only goal as Oxford City beat Bognor Regis Town 1-0 to reach the first round of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time in six years, writes RYAN BRATLEY.

Paterson netted the only goal before the break, but also missed a penalty which would have eased the worries of the City fans in a tense second half at Marsh Lane on Saturday.

The sides had been scheduled to meet in a Vanarama National League South match at Bognor before the fourth qualifying draw was announced.

The visitors started the better, Jimmy Muitt having the first clear chance of the game, blazing over from 12 yards, before City’s Ezra Forde forced a good save from keeper Dan Lincoln.

A quick throw-in then put the Bognor defence on the back foot, but Godfrey Poku’s mis-hit effort did not threaten the goal.

The hosts’ pressure paid off in the 32nd minute. Dave Pearce dispossessed Calvin Davies and picked out Paterson in the box to finish sweetly on the volley.

Muitt then shot wide for Bognor, before Paterson was brought down in the box on the stroke of half time.

The striker took responsibility for the penalty himself, aiming low to the keeper’s left, but his effort struck the outside of a post.

Lincoln produced a fine double save early in the second period to keep the deficit down to one, while at the other end, the dangerous Muitt shot wide from a good position.

In the 77th minute, Davies, who had already been cautioned for the penalty, was sent off for a second yellow card, when taking down Pearce,

With Bognor throwing everything at Jack Stevens’s goal, Reece Fleet was City’s stoppage-time hero as he cleared off the line amid a goalmouth scramble.

Oxford City: Stevens, Jones, Navarro, Poku, Henderson, Oastler, Sinclair, Fleet, Paterson, Forde (McEachran 72), Pearce. Subs not used: Grant, Hirst, Tutton.

Attendance: 406.