Oxford United play the first of three consecutive cup fixtures this evening, as they travel to Southend United for an FA Cup second round replay. The sides drew 0-0 at Minchery Farm in the first game, ten days ago.[@opponent]Southend United[/@opponent][@connection]Southend United[/@connection][@news]2227[/@news][@report]308[/@report] Since that game, Oxford have lost for the first time under Darren Patterson's managership, going down 1-0 at the Conference's bottom side, Northwich Victoria, last Saturday. Southend, meanwhile, have won both their intervening games, beating Huddersfield 4-1 and Swindon 2-1, both at Roots Hall. The incentive to win tonight's game is a home tie against Dagenham & Redbridge in the third round, which both clubs would regard as being winnable.

Following Saturday's game at Northwich, United's injury woes have increased, as on-loan striker Matt Green broke his collarbone and has therefore returned to Cardiff City, whence he came, and right-winger Eddie Anaclet dislocated his shoulder and will be out for about a month. On the plus side, Joel Ledgister should be able to come into the side as a straight swap for Eddie, to face his former club, while Rob Duffy has now finished his three-match ban after getting sent off 22 seconds into his substitute appearance against Ebbsfleet United, and Phil Trainer is also available after his one-game ban. Carl Pettefer serves the last of his three-game ban today, while Alex Jeannin is also unavailable after being shown two yellow cards at Northwich. Matt Day may replace him after his less than convincing cameo role in midfield at the weekend, but don't ask us to predict any other permutations.

Southend are still riding high in Division Three, lying in sixth place, just two points adrift of leaders Swansea City. They are not unbeatable, though, and have lost three times at home this season. Leading scorer Leon Clarke has not been allowed to play in the FA Cup by his substantive club, Sheffield Wednesday, but they do have Dean Morgan on loan from Luton. It is unlikely that manager Steve Tilson will again experiment with an unusual line-up and formation for tonight's game, so the Us will have to be extra vigilant if they are to have a chance of progressing. Rage Online thinks that it's highly unlikely that our FA Cup run will continue, and we predict a two or three-goal defeat this evening. And now you're going to believe us…

Tonight's other FA Cup replays see two other non-league sides in action. Burton Albion visit Barnet for the joy of a trip to Swindon, while Chasetown welcome Port Vale after their unlikely 1-1 draw at Vale Park in the first game. Last night Horsham twice took the lead against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium, but the Swans just got riled and eventually won 6-2, to set up a home game against Havant & Waterlooville.