KABONGO Tshimanga hit a hat-trick as Oxford City stormed into the fourth qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.

The striker’s treble helped his team to a 4-1 home victory over Dartford on Saturday and sealed a place in today’s draw.

Debutant Bobson Bawling was also on target for Mark Jones’s side, who ended a poor run of form with an emphatic display.

City started brightly and were inches away from taking the lead in the tenth minute when Zac McEachran’s superb run ended with his shot rattling against the bar.

The visitors’ first effort on goal came on 20 minutes, but City keeper Craig King was untroubled by Charlie Sheringham’s shot.

Tshimanaga broke the deadlock two minutes later in bizarre fashion.

The striker forced a good save from Deren Ibrahim, but managed to bundle home the rebound from close range while spread-eagled on the floor.

Ben Greenhalgh came within inches of an equaliser, his shot looping over King and crashing off of the underside of the bar and falling to Andre Coker, whose free header from six yards went straight in the City stopper’s arms.

Sheringham went even closer on the half-hour mark, but defender Ben Jefford got back to clear off of the line.

City regained their composure and doubled their advantage eight minutes into the second half when Bawling’s pass allowed Tshimanga to slot home.

The striker completed his hat-trick soon after, neatly lobbing Ibrahim after another fine Bawling pass.

Within a minute it was 4-0 when Bawling got the goal he deserved with a well-struck shot from the edge of the area.

Dartford pulled a goal back on 82 minutes when Elliot Bradbrook headed home, but City comfortable held on.

Oxford City: King, Wiltshire, Jefford, Ashby, Godwin-Malife, Oastler, McEachran (Fasanmade 75), Fleet, Tshimanga (Lobjoit 75), Sinclair (Jones 80), Bawling. Subs not used: Caro, Ruddick, Eze, Carter.

Attendance: 312