Weston-super-Mare 2

(Pepperell pen 55, Ingram 90+3)

Oxford City 3

(Pond 3, Basham 34, Barcelos 74)

Goalkeeper Jason Mooney produced an injury-time wonder save to secure Oxford City a place in the FA Cup first round with victory at Blue Square South side Weston-super-Mare on Saturday.

It was little more than City deserved after they dominated the first half of the fourth qualifying round tie, before producing a backs-to-the-wall second period to reach the first round for the second time in three seasons.

Mike Ford’s men got off to the perfect start as they went in front with their first attack.

A move which started deep in their own half saw Felipe Barcelos thread a ball through to Steve Basham, who sent Declan Benjamin clear on the right flank.

Benjamin crossed to the far post, where Darren Pond bundled home.

City had a good penalty appeal turned down soon after as Barcelos appeared to be felled in the box. The ball broke to Basham, whose follow-up shot was well held by Weston keeper Lloyd Irish.

At the other end, the pacy Sahr Kabba set up Kane Ingram, whose close-range effort was deflected over the bar.

From the resulting corner, Mooney did well to tip Chris Young’s goalbound header over the bar.

Back came City, Barcelos’s run and cross from the right to Basham saw the former Oxford United striker fire wide.

City should have been 2-0 up midway through the half. The impressive Benjamin made a surging run through the centre, only for Barcelos to blaze over the bar.

But City weren’t to be denied their second, and it came from an excellent move. Pond set Barcelos away down the left, and his cross to the far post was headed in from close range by Basham.

City faced a Weston onslaught in the second half as the home side produced wave after wave of attacks.

Substitute Brett Trowbridge surged into the box, only to be denied by a brave block by Mooney.

And four minutes later, Weston reduced the arrears.

Michael Lyon was adjudged to have pulled down Kabba in the box, and Nat Pepperell dispatched the resulting penalty.

Weston should have levelled in the 64th minute as the post came to City’s rescue, Jamie Price’s effort crashing against the woodwork.

Then Kabba’s follow-up strike was saved at point-blank range by Mooney’s feet.

Andy Ballard headed clear from under his own bar from Ingram, while Mooney was again called on to deny Weston’s Dayle Cribb, saving his free-kick well.

Mooney was in action again a minute later, holding Pepperell’s close-range strike.

And City made Weston pay for their profligacy with a classic breakaway goal.

Substitute Lee Steele won a midfield challenge before threading the ball through to Barcelos, who curled a shot past Irish from ten yards.

Mooney made a brilliant save from Ingram’s stinging drive, before he was beaten by the Weston man in the third minute of injury time.

But a minute later Mooney became City’s last-gasp hero with a miraculous save to keep out Dayle Grubb’s shot at point-blank range.

Oxford City: Mooney, J Clarke, Learoyd, Ballard, Pond, Blossom, Lyon, Benjamin (Issac 80), Basham (Steele 64), Barcelos (M Clarke 86), Ashton. Subs not used: Fleet, McLoughlin.

Attendance: 630.