PATRICK Hoban hit a second-half brace to send Oxford United storming through in an eventful Emirates FA Cup first round replay against Braintree Town.

Progress was far from plain sailing for the home side, who had to deal with high winds which caused havoc at times.

They also had to come behind, after Kenny Davis despatched a penalty following a disputed foul on Chez Isaac.

But Liam Sercombe quickly levelled, before Hoban doubled his haul for the season, the second of which came from the penalty spot.

U's goalkeeper Benji Buchel saved a second spot-kick from Davis late on to ensure a trouble-free finish and set up a home tie with Forest Green Rovers next month.

Michael Appleton hinted pre-match he would name a strong side and he was true to his word, making just two changes from the side which beat Cambridge United 1-0 on Saturday.

Hoban and Callum O'Dowda came in for Ryan Taylor and Danny Hylton, who dropped to the bench.

Any prospect of United playing their best football went out of the window before kick-off, when the gusty winds which were forecast arrived on cue.

Both sides were hampered from the outset and took time to find their feet.

The Sky Bet League Two side settled quickest, but the sum total of the opening 25 minutes was a shot from Kemar Roofe which did not trouble Braintree goalkeeper Will Norris.

Alex MacDonald struck the woodwork with a free-kick just before the half-hour mark, but progress was slow.

Braintree, playing into the wind, struggled to get out of their territory at times, but on 32 minutes they were awarded a penalty when Isaac tumbled theatrically as he ran into the United area.

Davis, who had to re-spot the ball due to the conditions, calmly sent Buchel the wrong way to put the part-timers in front.

Stung by the setback, the home side responded well, with O'Dowda fizzing a shot just wide before Roofe tested Norris with a low shot.

And just nine minutes after falling behind, United levelled.

George Baldock's pass looked for Hoban, but it drifted over the striker's head to become a perfect ball for a sprinting Sercombe, whose first-time shot beat the on-rushing Norris.

The goalkeeper did better a minute into the second half, flinging himself left to turn a low shot from MacDonald round the post.

United looked more composed playing into the wind and five minutes later Sercombe rattled the crossbar with an improvised looping shot from 18 yards.

Braintree struggled to keep their efforts down, but United needed Chey Dunkley to make a clearance on the line to deny Sean Marks' header.

As some of the Kassam Stadium floodlights went out around the hour, Kemar Roofe suddenly shone.

On 64 minutes he dribbled from a central area all the way round the Iron defence and squared for Hoban to tap home.

The Irishman had only scored twice all season before the game, but doubled his tally ten minutes from time.

O'Dowda was fouled in the area and with Sercombe, the regular taker, off the field, Hoban smashed in from 12 yards to make it 3-1.

There was still time for Buchel to save a penalty from Davis, after Joe Skarz was adjudged to have fouled Marks.

It guaranteed a calm finish for United, who extended their impressive run to nine wins from their last 12 games.

Oxford Utd (4-4-2): Buchel, Baldock, Dunkley, Mullins, Skarz, MacDonald, Sercombe, Lundstram, O'Dowda, Roofe, Hoban.

Subs used: Rose (Sercombe 74), Ruffels (Mullins 82), George (MacDonald 90).

Unused subs: Slocombe, Cundy, Hylton, Taylor.

Booked: None.

Braintree Tn (4-4-2): Norris, Clerima (Miles 77), Paine, Fry, Habergham, Isaac (Brundle 53), Davis, Woodyard, Sparkes, Marks, Cheek (Sekajja 82).

Unused subs: Haigh, Akinola, Edgar, Baxter.

Booked: Brundle.

Referee: Darren England (South Yorkshire).

Attendance: 3,265 (147 visitors).