Oxford City 1

(Steele 13)

Didcot Tn 1

(Seaward 35)

Goalkeeper David Lyons was the hero with a second-half penalty save as Didcot Town defied all the odds to hold Oxford City to a draw in the FA Cup first qualifying round at Court Place Farm on Saturday.

The tie was all-square when City were awarded a penalty 15 minutes from time for handball against Jamie Heapy.

Lee Steele, who had hit City’s opener, took responsibility himself, but his strike lacked power and Lyons gathered the ball low to his right.

It helped ensure Didcot gained a deserved draw.

City went into the tie on the back of six league wins in seven matches and sitting in second place in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division.

Didcot, now operating a division below their hosts, have won only one league game all season and suffered a 5-0 home trouncing by North Leigh in midweek.

But the visitors produced a display which comfortably surpassed anything they had managed this season to take the tie to a replay at the npower Loop Meadow Stadium tomorrow.

The omens did not look good for Didcot, who fell behind in the 13th minute.

Steele, whose hat-trick at the Loop Meadow on the final day of last season condemned Didcot to relegation, once more did the damage.

A long punt from keeper Jason Mooney fell invitingly into his path and Steele was able to stride into the penalty area, commit Lyons and apply a cool finish into the bottom corner.

Didcot bounced back, and Craig Faulconbridge squandered a great chance when, with just the keeper to beat, his attempted chip flew wide of the right-hand post.

And the Railwaymen equalised in the 35th minute.

Halliday clipped the ball into the area where Simeon Howell headed on to Seaward, who with his back to goal, manufactured an opening, before a superb bending finish from 12 yards gave Mooney no chance.

Didcot’s Joss Millar and City’s Darren Pond both went close in the second half before the penalty drama.

Steele scampered clear of the Didcot rearguard once more, but saw his shot well blocked by Lyons.

However, the ball cannoned back off retreating defender Heapy’s arm and a penalty was awarded, but Lyons came to Didcot’s rescue.

Oxford City: Mooney, Pond, Martin (Haysham- Membrillera 85), Learoyd, Ballard, Blossom, Barcelos (Basham 64), Benjamin, Islam (Fleet 56), Steele, Ashton. Subs not used: Bell, Lyon. Didcot Tn: Lyons, Heapy, Halliday, Tucker, Stanley, Peirson, Millar, Howell, Faulconbridge, Seaward, Da Silva (Charles 84). Subs not used: Williamson, Perriera, Turner, Ajani, Lynch.

Referee: R Hodges (Tattenhoe).

Attendance: 259.