A controversial goal from Jamie Cook proved the difference as Oxford United reached the final of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup with a 2-1 victory over Oxford City.

After Ashley Cain fired United ahead after 62 minutes, Cook doubled the lead with 16 minutes to go.

However, City were furious with referee John Busby – and rightly so – after he allowed the goal to stand.

Cook was clearly offside when United hooked the ball back into the area following a corner.

But after a City defender flicked the ball on, Busby over-ruled his assistant’s offside flag and awarded the goal.

It was clearly the wrong decision.

Cain scored his first goal for United when he controlled a Jack Midson pass, before firing a right-foot shot past Sam Holt on 62 minutes.

David Perpetuini set up a nervy finish with a well-taken strike for City after 80 minutes.

However, the result could have been so different had former United striker Lee Steele not missed two gilt-edged chances to put City ahead very early on.

The former United striker headed a James Clarke cross wide when unmarked, and minutes later dragged a shot wide of Billy Turley’s upright.

Midson thought he had fired United ahead when he put the ball in the back of the net, but was harshly flagged offside Turley then made a magnificent one-handed stop to deny Jonathan Douglas.

Franny Green went close for United at the start of the second period After Cain put United ahead, City tried to get back into the match, but Cook's strike was enough.

Oxford City: Holt, Ballard, Perpetuini, Savage, Meade, Gunn, Bell, Clarke (Davis 56), Douglas, Steele, Janes (Brooks 86).

Oxford Utd: Turley, Parrish, Sandwith (Likita 46), Murray (Woodley 75), Creighton, Owen, Cain, West (Dobson 46), Cook, Midson, F Green. Subs not used: Willett, Silver.

Referee: J Busby (Oxon). Attendance: 265.

* BANBURY United face North Leigh in the second semi-final at Oxford City on Tuesday, March 16 (7.45).