OXFORD City will be in this afternoon's FA Cup second round draw after a goalless draw in Essex against Redbridge on Saturday.

But City could, and perhaps should have secured their place in the next round without the need for a replay a week on Tuesday after a battling display.

City were dealt a major blow before kick off with the news that keeper Jason Mooney, hero of their fourth qualifying round win at Weston-super-Mare, was ruled out with complications arising from his leg infection.

In the event, veteran Keith McLoughlin did a sterling job as his replacement, but in truth, had very little to do.

City though, needed a half-time rollicking from boss Mike Ford after a lacklustre first-half display as perhaps some of their young players froze on the big stage.

The home side made much of the early running, although rarely threatened McLoughlin's goal.

When he was needed, McLoughlin was alert to all that the home side could throw at him with a comfortable save from Jamie Hayward early on, while he controlled his box well.

City's first opening fell to Darren Pond, but, unlike at Weston, his effort from just outside the box was drilled over the bar when well placed. McLoughlin had to be alert to the danger as a bit of head tennis saw the ball drop to Joe Gardner.

As Gardner advanced towards goal, McLoughlin was quick from his line to block bravely at Gardner's feet.

In truth, it was a scrappy first half, with many high and wayward passes seeing the ball given away on too many occasions.

City defender Andy Ballard smashed a 20-yard strike wide of the left hand post in the 21st minute, while ten minutes later, Felipe Barcelos's run down the right wing took him into the box, but he was denied a shot a goal by Redbridge's excellent keeper Adam Rafis.

City were inches away from taking the lead just before half-time when, out of the blue, midfielder Declan Benjamin saw a gap in the home defence to rifle in a 30-yard strike.

Rafis was well-beaten, but the ball rebounded off the foot of the right-hand post. Whatever was said by Ford to his troops at half-time had the desired effect as City dominated the early exchanges.

A Barcelos free-kick picked out Steve Basham, who headed into Rafis's arms, while moments later, Ballard struck an effort wide from Jack Ashton's long clearance from defence.

City were having a purple patch, only some desperate defending in the box denying Basham and Barcelos as the ball fizzed around the penalty area. Rafis again came to Redbridge's rescue on the hour as he beat away Barcelos's powerful point-blank shot for a corner.

Rafis, nephew of ex-England defender Tony Adams, was having an inspired game. He denied substitute Lee Steele, before producing a stunning save as Benjamin worked his way into the six yard box, only to see his effort somehow kept out by Rafis's left hand.

Steele then fired another goalbound shot straight into the arms of Rafis.

But with City dominant, they nearly lost it in the dying seconds.

A corner from the right deep into stoppage time was turned in at close range by Matt Turpin, but the goal 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 will know Redbridge will prove 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 usd: 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