Two-goal Billy Bodin ensured Oxford United avoided the possibility of an FA Cup shock as they overcame part-timers Maidenhead United 2-0 at the Kassam Stadium.

Billy Bodin struck in the 15th and 83rd minutes to fire the U's into the second round, but it was a less than convincing performance with National League strugglers Maidenhead causing Liam Manning's side a lot of problems in between the goals.

There are 66 places between the teams but for large spells of the game it was not particularly easy to tell that.

Bodin calmed any early nerves by firing the U's in front from their first meaningful attack.

Stan Mills crossed from the right and Bodin converted beautifully first-time with a shot that went in off the post.

Immediately buoyed by that, on-loan Everton winger Mills then cut inside on a forceful run but shot wide.

Head coach Manning was serving a one-match touchline ban after his red card in the previous weekend's 2-2 draw against Wycombe in League 1 - something the head coach felt was very harsh.

But he was still the one that picked the team - and he made six changes to the starting XI from the midweek win at Lincoln which included bringing in  Jordan Thorniley and Stephan Negru at the back.

Mark Harris continued at the main striker, hoping to break a recent barren run in front of goal.

Maidenhead have a long history and they were one of the entrants in the inaugural FA Cup competition in 1871.

The current team, managed by Alan Devonshire, have had a touch time in the National League this season, going winless in the National League between August and last week, when they beat Eastleigh 3-2.

Devonshire, like Manning, was banned from the touchline, with Ryan Peters in charge of the Berkshire outfit pitch-side.

With a much smaller than normal attendance expected, only the section of the North Stand for visiting fans was open - and about 500 of them made the short journey.

Attacking towards the car park end in the first half, United looked to be in control once Bodin had given them the lead.

But, guilty of being too casual, they were then prone to moments of sloppiness at the other end.

Josh McEachran gave the ball away on 25 minutes to allow Reece Smith to embark on a dangerous run that was stopped by Elliott Smith's block in front of the goalline.

And moments later, when Thorniley slipped, Jayden Mitchell-Lawson found himself in a very threatening position yet skied his close-range shot.

Recalled keeper Simon Eastwood had to be alert to beat out a good strike from Mitchell-Laing as Maidenhead threatened again, and at the start of the second half it needed a fumbled save from the keeper to deny Kane Ferdinand.

Many fans were feeling that the home side needed to wake up a bit.

It did seem, however, that it would only be a matter of time before the League 1 promotion-chasers' extra quality would give them another good chance.

Bodin had sliced a shot wide before the break after working his way into a decent shooting position.

United made a double substitution on the hour, bringing on Ruben Rodigues and Josh Murphy for Harris and Mills respectively, and Murphy soon began to get busily involved down the right.

But it was still the visitors, chasing an equaliser and taking the game to United, who at that stage were looking more likely to score.

Another double change for the U's came with 20 minutes to go with Ciaron Brown and Marcus McGuane replacing Greg Leigh and McEachran.

Within minutes, Tyler Goodrham looked to be tripped from behind as he ran through on goal as keeper Craig Ross came out, but referee Dale Bains waved play on.

With fitness possibly playing a part, the U's got a second wind in the last 15 minutes and stretched the play to create good openings.

Murphy saw his left-footed curling shot deflect wide, and then Ross saved Bodin's 12-yard header high above his head.

With seven minutes to go Bodin got his second of the match and his fourth of the season to seal United's passage into the next round.

Cameron Brannagan's pass picked him out on the right of the box, and although Ross saved his first attempt, Bodin put the second one away in style.

In the closing minutes, Murphy had a shot which hit the keeper and deflected for a corner as the home side ended strongly.

The draw for the second round is on Sunday afternoon.

The U's reached the third round last season - taking on big boys Arsenal.

But they will need to play better than this over 90 minutes to reach that stage again.