United travel up to Halifax[@opponent]Halifax Town[/@opponent] today for their FA Trophy second round replay, after the sides drew 2-2 in Oxford on Saturday[@news]2045[/@news]. On that occasion, United came from behind after conceding an early penalty to lead at half time, but Halifax equalised just three minutes from time to set up tonight's game. This evening, Oxford will be looking to build on their good record against the Shaymen to set up a third round tie at home to Redditch on 3 February[@news]2046[/@news].

There are unlikely to be many changes to the side that drew on Saturday, with many of the youngsters involved in last night's reserves defeat against Northampton, and United's injury list preventing several first-team players from being involved. Definitely out are Chris Willmott, Phil Gilchrist, Eddie Hutchinson, and Steve Basham, while Andy Burgess is still doubtful after he was concussed in the Lewes replay last Tuesday. It is possible that midfielder Chris Hargreaves may start, possibly in place of Yemi Odubade or Marvin Robinson, in an attempt to tighten up the midfield and return to the 3-5-2 formation that Jim Smith favours. The injury that Chris Tardif received for the reserves may mean a place on the bench for Gareth Tucker, while Billy Beechers played the full 90 minutes last night, and so is unlikely to feature. New signing Kristap Grebis still hasn't received international clearance, but would be ineligible to play anyway, having not been available for the first meeting on Saturday.

Although no one wanted the tie to go to a replay, this is arguably a better result than a home defeat would have been, with the consequent loss of morale. However, the incentive for tonight's winners is a home tie against third-bottom Conference North side Redditch United, the winners of which would be in the quarter finals. With the possibility of the final being held at the new Wembley Stadium (should it be ready on time), there is an obvious carrot for the players and the fans.