Kevin Brock made a happy return to Court Place Farm as his Banbury United side knocked out holders Oxford City to reach the semi-finals of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup.

The Banbury boss, who was sacked as City's manager three years ago, saw his side show more appetite for the game than the lacklustre home team.

Although both of the Banbury goals were not without a suspicion of offside, it was only in the last 15 minutes that City applied any pressure.

Two early City free kicks caused problems and Shaun Wimble had a good effort saved by Simon Tricker.

But the visitors took the lead in the 15th minute when Gary Harrison shot past Alan Foster from close range, with City appealing vainly for offside.

City's first real chance went begging in the 47th minute when Dwaine Strong set up Jermaine Ferreira who shot straight at Tricker.

The visitors increased their lead in the 50th minute when Harrison collected a long clearance and was allowed to run on to fire past an exposed Foster from 18 yards.

A couple of good runs from Strong came to nothing against a resolute United defence and City's appeals for a penalty were denied when Danny Wise appeared to be pushed in the six-yard box.

After a Banbury third had been ruled out for offside with 15 minutes left, City threw Richard Peirson up front.

And the visitors were indebted to a fine save from Tricker to keep out a powerful volley from the centre-back.

Minutes later Tricker again came to United's rescue when he beat out a fierce shot from Mark Druce but City could have no real complaints at the final whistle.

Oxford: Foster, Ferreira, Dark, Peirson, Thorp, Wise, Lewis (Emsden 67), Whitehead, Druce, Strong, Wimble. Subs not used: Waterhouse, Hayward.

Banbury: Tricker, Wallbridge, Redknap, Sullivan, Muckleberg, Fuller, Corbett, Phillips (Sherlock 45), Harrison (Jenkins 82), Gooderick, McKay. Sub not used: Essex.

Attendance: 246.

Central defender Luke Beauchamp returns following a one-match ban as Abingdon Town take on Wokingham Town in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup third round at Culham Road tonight.

Abingdon Tn: from McLaughlin, Thomas, Price, Burden, Charles, Watts, Morgan, Twine, Paterson, Cleevely, Hannah, Gill, Gardner, Blencowe, Border, Beauchamp, Hannah.