JUSTIN Merritt could not hide his disappointment at Oxford City’s failure to finish off a youthful Cheltenham Town side.

The visitors, top of the Vanarama National League, made ten changes from the side which drew 0-0 at Boreham Wood the previous weekend.

And despite his side being a full division below their full-time opponents, City’s general manager felt his players had let themselves down in Saturday's FA Trophy second round encounter at Marsh Lane.

“No disrespect to Cheltenham, but we’ve played a very young team there who I would expect us to do better against,” said Merritt.

“We’d have been happy with a draw coming in, then we see their team selection and think we’ve got a great opportunity.

“So to be denied right at the end is very disappointing.”

In a bizarre twist, the replay at Whaddon Road will be played on Wednesday evening, 24 hours after Cheltenham’s league fixture at home to Kidderminster Harriers.

With the Robins expected to field another young side, Merritt is confident of City’s chances of progression.

He added: “I’m sure the lads will be up for it on a good surface, which should mean we can move the ball a bit quicker and sharper and put in a better display.

“They’ll probably play a similar team and we should beat them the second time around.”