OXFORD City could not recreate their FA Cup heroics of 12 months ago as Tranmere Rovers proved too strong in their first round replay.

Mark Jones' men gave it everything in front of the BT Sport cameras at a packed Court Place Farm, but the Sky Bet League Two side’s class told.

Two first-half goals were enough for Tranmere, with strike partners James Norwood and Paul Mullin producing ruthless finishes.

Despite matching their opponents for much of the game, City could not repeat last season's run to the second round.

City were not overawed by the presence of the television cameras and looked to get on the front foot from the start.

But Tranmere took the lead with just six minutes gone, as Mullin picked up the ball on the halfway line and released Norwood behind the home defence.

The Sky Bet League Two side’s top scorer took his time, waiting for City keeper Craig King to commit himself before lifting the ball into the net.

Backed by a vocal section of supporters behind the dugouts, the Vanarama National South League side stuck to their game plan and passed the ball patiently.

Kabongo Tshimanga, hat-trick hero in the 3-3 draw at Prenton Park 10 days ago, had a hard task against two physical centre-backs and dropped deep to receive the ball, while Sam Nombe looked dangerous on the wing.

Tranmere appeared happy to hit City on the break and their second came from an error from centre-back Frankie Musonda on the half-hour.

The defender got his feet tangled and Mullin pinched the ball, racing into the penalty area before setting himself and curling the ball past King.

Seconds later, the striker almost had a second when he found space in the area, but King produced a fantastic save down to his right.

City continued to probe and Tshimanga hit their first shot on target after 33 minutes, but keeper Scott Davies easily gathered his low drive.

With 45 minutes to go their FA Cup dream was dying, but Jones’ men began the second period positively as the rain began to fall.

Their first corner came after an hour and the ball was only half-cleared to Jefford, who whipped a shot wide of the far post.

Norwood then reminded the hosts of his threat when he raced clear down the right, with King pushing the effort wide.

Jones rolled the dice with a triple substitution and two of the newcomers, Bobson Bawling and Kunle Otudeko, were immediately involved in City's best chance of the game with 14 minutes left.

The ball fell loose in the box after another corner, but the substitutes' quickfire efforts were both blocked on the line.

City continued to press and King came up for two corners in stoppage time, but was almost embarrassed as  Jake Caprice ran clear and saw his shot blocked.

It was the last meaningful action of the game, with City's cup run ended by higher-placed opposition for the second season running.

Oxford City: King, Godwin-Malife (Jones), Oastler, Musonda, Jefford, Ashby, Fleet, Wiltshire (Otudeko), Nombe, Tshimanga, McEachran (Bawling)

Unused subs: Caro, Carter, Fassanmade

Booked: Ashby

Tranmere Rovers: Davies, Caprice, Sutton, Monthe, Bakayogo (Ridehalgh), Harris, Gilmour, Jennings, Cole (Motley-Henry), Mullin (Stockton), Norwood