United got the result they least wanted in this afternoon's FA Trophy second round tie at home to Halifax[@opponent]Halifax Town[/@opponent], as the Shaymen scored an 87th minute equaliser to earn a replay, to be played this Tuesday. Prior to that, Billy Turley had had almost nothing to do all afternoon, as Oxford gave a much-improved performance to give some hope that they have turned the corner. They even recovered from an early blow, when Halifax scored from their first penalty award of the season, given for a trip on Nicky Gray by Matt Day in the 10th minute, and converted by Martin Foster.[@news]2044[/@news]

United gradually got back into the game, and on the half hour they drew level when Marvin Robinson scored his first goal for the club. Carl Pettefer set Yemi Odubade free down the right wing, and Yemi burst clear before crossing low and hard for Robinson to turn the ball in at the far post. Eight minutes later United took the lead. Pettefer crossed the ball from the right for Yemi, at the far side of the area. His shot was blocked, but fell for Danny Rose, who shot home to record his first goal in senior football in only his second game. This was a just reward for the young loanee midfielder, who combined well with Pettefer as the Yellows bossed the midfield for long periods of the game. Oxford could have scored two or three more in the first part of the second half, as first Gavin Johnson shot narrowly wide after being set up by Rob Duffy, and then Rose blasted past the far post a couple of minutes later. Yemi burst through but shot into the side netting, as he and Eddie Anaclet continued to reinforce the partnership that they began to forge in the second half of Tuesday's game against Lewes. However, Oxford paid the penalty for failing to make their pressure count, and they allowed the Shaymen back into the game. With just three minutes remaining, Halifax's new striker Darryn Stamp found himself on the end of a routine free kick, and he beat Turley from a couple of yards out after the Oxford defence failed to clear.

Jim Smith made three changes from the side that beat Lewes 1-0 last Tuesday. John Dempster was dropped in favour of Georges Santos, who had another solid game, while Rose replaced Andy Burgess in midfield. Rufus Brevett was on the bench, with Johnson playing as left wingback, and Anaclet returned to the starting line-up on the right of defence. Smith made just the one substitution, replacing the absolutely knackered Robinson with Chris Hargreaves with quarter of an hour to go.

Today's incompetent official was GD Horwood, the same chap who officiated in United's 3-0 win at Cambridge in October. He booked Rose for having the ball kicked at him when Halifax took a quick free kick, and he booked Santos for persistent fouling, which is fair enough. The attendance was just 2,631, of whom 77 came from the wilds of Yorkshire, which is probably more than United will take for the Tuesday night replay. We won't be bothering with a match report for this game.

United and Halifax aren't the only sides who need to try again in their attempts to reach the third round of the FA Trophy. Stalybridge Celtic and Kettering Town drew 1-1, while Newport County were held to a goalless draw by Histon. In addition, the game between Eastbourne Borough and Northwich Victoria was postponed. The most notable result from the second round was Redditch's 3-2 win over Conference leaders Dagenham & Redbridge, while three other Conference sides were beaten by lesser opposition. Southport lost 2-1 at Salisbury City, Burton Albion lost by the same score at Worcester City, while AFC Wimbledon won 1-0 at Gravesend & Northfleet. The biggest score was at Morecambe, who beat Mangotsfield 5-0, while in the only other all-Conference clash apart from Oxford's, Kidderminster won 1-0 at Exeter. The draw for the third round is on Monday. There were two games in the Conference: Dave Woozley scored first as Crawley won 2-0 at Aldershot to move out of the relegation zone, while Stafford Rangers won 1-0 at Cambridge United.