Oxford United scraped through their FA Cup fourth qualifying round at Merthyr Tydfil this afternoon, to set up a home tie in the first round against Conference bottom outfit Northwich Victoria, who won 3-1 at Southport. The final scoreline of 2-1 was probably a fairly accurate reflection of play, but United really should have taken advantage of their opponents' sloppy play, which descended at times into outright violence. Oxford were handed a boost just before the second half when Peter Crouch-alike Michael Jones was sent off for a second bookable offence, a (very) late tackle on Luke Foster, spotted by an Assistant Referee. Merthyr could have already been down to ten men when, after half an hour, goalkeeper Ashley Morris felled Jordan Rhodes just outside the penalty area after the striker pounced on a Phil Trainer hoof and outpaced Andrew Thomas. The referee, from Swindon, gave Thomas the benefit of the doubt that it wasn't an obvious goalscoring opportunity, although many might have disagreed. The first half ended goalless, and in truth neither side had created a lot in the way of genuine chances.[@news]2208[/@news][@opponent]merthyr tydfil[/@opponent]

Against ten men, Oxford really should have made their superiority count, but once again they seemed unable to find a way through to goal. Five minutes after the break Yemi Odubade, having one of his quieter games, shot well over after being set up by Stefan Bailey with a neat backheel. Four minutes later Oxford made the breakthrough when Rhodes received the ball on the left corner of the penalty area. He cut inside and crossed the ball, which looped over Morris and into the net. As is their wont when defending a lead, United opted to sit back rather than finish the game off, and as has happened so often this season, they were punished for their lack of adventure. Looking suspiciously offside, Matt Harris beat Ben Weedon to the ball and crossed for the unmarked Tarrant Watkins to sidefoot home. However, for a change the Oxford players' heads didn't drop, and they struck back. With ten minutes left, Rhodes picked up the ball on the right of the area, he skipped past a couple of challenges and then placed his shot out of Morris's reach. There was still time for Harris to scythe Luke Foster in half with a challenge that was so late that it's still happening now, and for which he merely received a yellow card.

Jim Smith again opted for a 4-4-2 formation, although for now it will remain indeterminable if this is a change chosen for its effectiveness, or because injuries have forced Smith's hand. Weedon made just the second start of his career, the last being in February 2006, replacing the injured Matt Day. Michael Corcoran started in central defence, with Barry Quinn moving into midfield in place of Carl Pettefer. Danny Rose began on the left of midfield, replacing the suspended Alex Jeannin. Rose went off injured after half an hour, to be replaced by Michael Standing, and shortly after Rhodes scored Oxford's second goal Alex Fisher made his second appearance, coming on for Bailey. A minute later, Pettefer came on for Weedon, who received a well-deserved ovation from the away fans.

Today's official was SA Hooper, a moonraker, as already noted. He didn't spend too much time gazing at reflections in puddles though, but nonetheless contrived to miss a number of calls, almost totally in favour of the home side (we say, completely without bias, of course). Bailey was deservedly booked for a late challenge, which paled into tameness compared with some of the welsh tackles. The attendance was 1,071, the lowest crowd to watch United so far this season, but well over double the Martyrs' previous best attendance this season. Impossible to tell how many Oxford fans were there, as both sets of supporters entered through the same turnstiles.

The biggest scoreline in the FA Cup games today came at Bootham Crescent, where York City beat Rushall Olympic 6-0. Rushden & Diamonds beat Phil Trainer's old mob, Solihull Moors, 5-0, while Histon beat Bamber Bridge 4-1. In ties where both teams were Conference clubs, Crawley Town and Aldershot drew 1-1, Exeter City won 3-1 at Ebbsfleet United, Salisbury City and Stevenage Borough fought out a goalless draw, Stafford Rangers and Cambridge United also face a replay after drawing 1-1. Shocks include Evesham drawing 0-0 with Halifax, Barrow holding Farsley Celtic to a 1-1 draw in Pudsey, Hitchin drawing 1-1 at Weymouth, and Woking losing 1-0 at home to Staines.