DOVER ATHLETIC 0, OXFORD UNITED 1: A stunning individual goal from David Oldfield brought Oxford United their first win at a non-League ground in the FA Cup since they last visited Dover 21 years ago.

Matt RobinsonIt was Oldfield's first goal for Oxford, and afterwards the 34-year-old Australian, who has struck around 90 goals in a much-travelled career, couldn't remember if he had ever scored a better one.

With his back to goal, just inside the area, he took the ball on his chest, and then hit a brilliant overhead kick over big Dover goalkeeper Paul Hyde - although he was almost on his line.

The goal followed a good move, with Dean Whitehead spreading play to the right and Scott McNiven's right-wing cross headed out only as far as Andy Crosby, who nodded the ball back in.

In a game of few chances, with defences generally on top, the first goal was always going to be vital, and United have been masters this season at holding on to a 1-0 lead away.

Horrible

They should have scored others, with Steve Basham missing a golden chance in the 19th minute and substitute Jefferson Louis horribly wasting a four-against-two break near the end.

But these ties are horrible affairs for lower division League clubs, and on an afternoon when Chesterfield, Colchester, Notts County and Bristol Rovers were all embarrassed, Oxford were just relieved to get through.

The Crabble Sports Ground, situated high up in an area of Dover known as River, was abuzz with anticipation and excitement as kick-off approached.

Football fans in the far corner of Kent, sensing a Cup upset, had come out in numbers to support their team, and the gate of 4,186 was a record for the club since they were re-formed as Dover Athletic.

Two of that number reportedly missed the game. Having already bought their tickets, they were called out when the local lifeboat was scrambled.

Such is the romance of the FA Cup.

United manager Ian Akins had been at pains to point out to his players, however, that the romance is very much one-way. He wanted to get in and get out, he said.

The pitch, though very soft, was in an excellent condition considering the amount of recent rain, and with no wind, there were no excuses for United.

And they soon imposed their own game on the side who were relegated from the Conference last season, pegging them back in their own half for large spells of the first half.

Nevertheless, it was a good run and shot by right back Tony Browne which created the first goalmouth drama. Darting right to left in front of the United defence, he finished with a firm left-foot shot which Andy Woodman saved low to his left.

The home side's David Beckham lookalike, Lee Spiller, spent much of the time prancing about, but he did have some ability on the ball. He was also booked for a bad late challenge on Whitehead.

Oldfield had been impressive with his link-up play and in the 19th minute he sent Basham clear.

The former Preston striker had only Hyde to beat, took the ball around him to the left but knocked it too wide and a golden chance was wasted. Somehow, the ball came back to him seconds later, and he shot wide.

But at the mid-point of the first half, Oldfield sent the 600 or so visiting fans wild with his wonder overhead kick.

"Oldfield's scored a goal" they sang. It had been a long wait.

Dover gained the game's first corner in the 40th minute, but with United defending well, skipper Andy Crosby moving across to the centre of the three-man back line and David Waterman coming in on the right - because of Adi Viveash's absence - Woodman was virtually redundant.

Let-off

The Dr Martens League side improved in the second half and, to their credit, had a real go at getting back the goal.

Nicky Dent hit a long-range drive over the bar and in the 61st minute, Oxford had a big let-off when Dent powered a header towards goal. Woodman produced a fine reaction save and Dent, looking as though he must score from the rebound, slipped as he went for his shot and put it wide.

David Savage almost made it 2-0 with a back-post header at a Whitehead free-kick, which Hyde saved down by his post.

As Dover committed men forward in a bid to save the tie, United began to find acres of space on the counter-attack. A 60-yard run along the left by Robinson ended with Hyde cutting out his cross when teammates were queueing up in the middle.

But the most wasteful piece of play came when Louis burst forward with three teammates to his right on a 4 v 2 break.

It was the ideal opportunity to kill off the game, but Louis went it alone and Chapman whipped the ball off his feet.

Overall, it was a comfortable passage at Dover. And not every traveller has been able to say that.

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