OXFORD City will be hoping it's third time lucky for tonight's FA Cup first-round second replay at the Manor against Wycombe Wanderers.

In the previous episode of this ongoing saga, Paul Lee's heroes were just five penalty kicks away from claiming the scalp of the Nationwide Division 2 side, but were cruelly denied their moment of glory by a blown fuse and a smoke alarm at Adams Park.

Now, after 210 minutes of football and two 1-1 draws, they have got to do it all again.

City manager Lee said: "I thought there was nothing between the two sides over the last two games. I am hoping that our fans get right behind us and give us the lift we need.

"In the last two games, our fans have been vastly outnumbered, but hopefully it will be different this time."

After last week's shambolic end to what was a superb blue and white performance, City will be right up for this match.

Lee added: "I'm hoping that last week's events will work in our favour and fire the players up. That was a great chance for us to go through."

City are back to full strength as Lee's gamble to rest five players for Friday's Ryman League match with Wealdstone paid a handsome dividend.

Not only did City win 2-1, but the five players in question, Justin Lee, Dwaine Strong, Stewart McCleary and Garry Smart are all fit and well and should start tonight.

The only injury doubt is defender Michael Thorp, who aggravated an ankle injury on Friday.

Wycombe will be without the suspended Jason Cousins, but Keith Ryan and Dave Carroll are both back from injury.

Gavin Rose impressed on his City debut on Friday and the 20-year-old midfielder, who used to be on Crystal Palace's books, performed so well that Lee has included him in tonight's squad.

Oxford City: Foster, Morrisey, Peirson, Smart, Hayward, Dark, Sweeney, Lee, Wimble, Strong, Davy, Hulbert, McCleary, Smith, Emsden, Rose, Potter, Tassel, Thorp.

THE contents of tonight's programme will be the same as for the first replay at Wycombe.

City chairman Mick Woodley said: "We have designed a new cover, but it seems silly to go to significant expense to print another programme when we have a thousand copies left over from the tie at Wycombe."

The price of the programme has been reduced to £1.

LIFELONG Oxford City supporter Keith Ferris, who lives at Carnoustie, is flying down from Scotland for tonight's game.

OXFORD MP Andrew Smith, the chief secretary to the Treasury, and his wife Val, the Oxford Lord Mayor, are guests of Oxford City for tonight's game.

Story date: Wednesday 17 November

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.