Two pieces of brilliance at either end gave Oxford United the platform to beat Chelmsford City 3-1 in the FA Carlsberg Trophy on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Ryan Clarke produced an outstanding reaction stop from John Martin's close-range effort in the 28th minute, for what looked one of the saves of the season.

And Franny Green fired the Blue Square Premier promotion-chasers in front five minutes before half-time with a right-footed volley that demonstrated excellent technique.

Jack Midson then secured United's passage into the quarter-finals with two well-taken goals in four minutes midway through the second half.

Franny Green was given his opportunity after scoring twice in United's Oxfordshire Senior Cup win at Kidlington in midweek.

He has always played before for the U's either in a midfield role, or wide in a three-man attack, but this time manager Chris Wilder went with a 4-4-2 formation, and he lined up alongside Midson up front.

Kevin Sandwith came in at left back for the cup-tied Anthony Tonkin in the only other change to the side that won 4-0 at Grays.

And it was Sandwith who was the provider of Franny Green's goal, crossing to the far post from the bye-line after Dannie Bulman played him in with a clever backheel.

The deep cross looked to be beyond the reach of the ex-Peterborough and Kettering forward but, at full stretch and in mid-air, he struck the sweetest of volleys just inside goalkeeper Ashley Harrison's near post.

Just before half-time, Alfie Potter had to be helped off the pitch after turning an ankle, and Matt Green replaced him on the right side of midfield.

But after the break, Wilder changed that to deploy Franny Green on the right of midfield, and Matt Green up front.

It was just after the hour that new signing Chris Hargreaves, who had started on the bench, was given his introduction, and he made an immediate impact.

With his first touch he cleared up a Chelmsford attack, and with his second, he delivered a raking 40-yard pass out to the right to Matt Green, something he wasn't too often remembered for during his previous spell at the club, and it probably should have brought a second goal.

Matt Green squared it to Sam Deering, but a challenge came in just as Deering shot, and he hit it over the bar.

Yet suddenly United were in total charge, and they struck with two goals in quick succession. First Midson nodded in from five yards when Chelmsford couldn't deal with Simon Clist's corner.

Midson, who has a habit of scoring in cup competitions, then netted with a classy chip over the keeper from the right of the penalty area after a through ball from acting skipper Rhys Day.

Chelmsford got no more than a consolation goal 11 minutes from time from the penalty spot.

Damian Batt was adjudged to have handled the ball above his head, even though none of the home team appealed for it, and Cty skipper Dave Rainford converted the spot kick, high to Clarke's right.

Batt was booked a few minutes later for a foul but United defended well to see the game out.

Ludicrously, a second penalty was awarded to the home side in stoppage time, but this time Rainford blazed over the bar.

Oxford Utd: Clarke, Batt, Day, Wright, Sandwith, Potter (M Green 44), Bulman, Clist, Deering (Creighton 87), F Green (Hargreaves 62), Midson. Subs not used: Turley, Constable.

Referee: Ian Smedley (Derby).

Booked: Batt.