Oxford City 3, Harrow Borough 2 OXFORD City's cup form was again in evidence when they moved into the third round of the FA Trophy at the expense of Ryman Premier League side Harrow last night.

But City, who enjoyed a superb run in the FA Cup this season, nearly threw away a 3-0 lead before securing a tie at home to Burnham on Saturday, January 15.

The visitors pulled two goals back and City were very relieved to hear the final whistle.

City made the perfect start in the second minute, when, after Dwaine Strong had been fouled, Borough failed to clear Justin Lee's free kick and Strong crossed for Andy Smith to score at the far post.

Borough lost keeper Pollard with a cut eye, but City could not capitalise.

With a strong wind behind them, City started the second half as they did the first. Strong was brought down in the 50th minute and Lee's free kick was headed home by Stewart McCleary.

Three minutes later, the impressive Strong got on the end of another fine ball from Lee, brushed off a defender, and finished perfectly from the edge of the area. It was nearly four when McCleary rounded the keeper but just failed to turn the ball home. Markham reduced the arrears in the 65th minute when City failed to deal with a corner, and eight minutes later, a well-taken 20-yard free kick from Nwaokolo notched the visitors' second.

With Borough now swarming all over a nervous City, their last chance disappeared when Alan Foster did well to turn round a point-blank low drive from Markham.

Oxford C: Foster, Smart, Dark, Peirson, Hayward, Smith, Lee, Sweeney, McCleary (Hulbert 60), Strong, Davey. Subs not used: Wimble, Morrisey, Whitehead, Rose.

Referee: M Ebbage (Burnham).

Attendance: 127.

Story date: Wednesday 01 December

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