While trying to win promotion from the Conference will always be their priority, Oxford United nevertheless made it through to the third round of the FA Trophy for the first time tonight with an improved performance.

And the good news for all U's supporters is that goalkeeper Ryan Clarke was back to his very best.

The former Northwich keeper, who made a rare blunder in last Saturday's first home defeat against Tamworth, had a busy time in the first 20 minutes - and made some very good saves.

United then took control of the game with a goal from Matt Green, which proved to be the winner.

Chris Wilder's men now meet Chelmsford City away in the third round on Saturday January 30.

Danie Bulman came in at right back with Adam Chapman injured and Damian Batt suspended, and there was a debut for Lee Fowler, who was given the holding role in front of the defence in a 4-1-2-3 formation.

Fowler gave a very accomplished performance, always wanting the ball, and comfortable on it, with some tidy passing to boot.

Clarke had a confidence-boosting early save above his head in the fourth minute but one wondered whether Woking had seen the DVD from Saturday because, when they broke quickly after Alfie Potter gave the ball away by miscontrolling, Moses Ademola tried to lob the keeper from 25 yards, but got it horribly wrong.

Clarke saved bravely at the feet of Nicky Nicolau and reacted quickly to turn a deflected shot around his near post.

It was against the run of play when Oxford went ahead on 15 minutes.

Rhys Day threaded a pass through and Matt Green used his speed to reach the ball just ahead of keeper Ross Worner, and finished well with a well-directed touch to send the ball into the empty goal.

Yet Woking, who went forward with plenty of enterprise, responded immediately, and could count themselves unfortunate not to equalise. Clarke saved a difficult shot from Guiseppe Sole and when it ran into the path of Harry Arter, he should have scored - but Jake Wright cleared off the line.

The U's missed good chances to increase their lead before half-time with Franny Green headeing wide, Kevin Sandwith nodding wide at a corner, and James Constable sending a left-footed drive the wrong side of the post.

And they were queueing up to score when Constable headed a free-kick back across goal. Yet neither Matt Green nor Potter could finish it off.

In the second half, which began very quietly, Sam Deering entered the action, and Mark Creighton came on for Matt Green, to see what Day was like at right back.

Sole shot over on the turn for the Cards, and Constable headed over.

As a contest, it continued to be very tepid throughout the second half, with Clarke having one aberration when he miskicked a clearance and then saw Sandwith's boot upfield ricochet off a Woking player and loop uncomfortably onto the top of his crossbar.

Woking had a decent chance to level on the break, after Potter's low shot from a free-kick played short was blocked in front of goal, but Nicolau had a rush of blood and blazed high and wide.

In the dying minutes, Deering planted a header just wide and Woking keeper Ross Worner made a fine double save from Constable and Deering.

And in stoppage time, Clarke had to save a close-range header from Asward Thomas.

Woking, who are a full-time outfit, had two suspended and three cup-tied for this match, so they did well to give Oxford as many problems as they did. Indeed, they looked stronger than several Blue Square Premier teams.

But it's Oxford who go through.

Oxford Utd: Clarke 8; Bulman 6, Day 8, Wright 7, Sandwith 7; Fowler 7 (Midson 83); F Green 6 (Deering 6, 55), Clist 6; Potter 6, Constable 6, M Green 7 (Creighton 6, 58). Subs not used: Turley, Cook. Booked: none.

Woking: Worner 8; Anane 6 (Sloma 85), Sinclair 6, Boardman 6, Thomas 6; Arter 7 (McNerney 85), Maledon 6, Ricketts 7, Nicolau 6; Sole 6, Ademola 5 (Sam-Yorke 73). Sub not used: Pegler.

Booked: none.

Referee: Andy Hendley (West Midlands).

Att: 1,581.