Oxford United manager Darren Patterson hailed his side after a battling display saw them earn a deserved replay at Southend in the FA Cup on Saturday.

But the former Northern Ireland international was quick to point out that whilst a home tie with Dagenham & Redbridge awaits the winners, the U's face a huge task to book their place in the third round.

And more importantly, Patterson was keen to point to next Saturday's Blue Square Premier game at Northwich as his side's most crucial.

United produced a gritty performance to frustrate League One side Southend and deservedly earn a 0-0 draw.

Although neither side created many clear-cut chances, it was an enjoyable game to watch, with both sides playing whole-heartedly.

Eyes then switched to yesterday's third round draw, and although a home tie with Daganham - who United beat in the fourth qualifying round of the competition last year - is hardly glamorous, it could have been much worse.

"It's a good draw because either us or Southend are at home," Patterson said.

"We didn't get a Premiership side or a real big team, but while we are at home in the next round, I hate to remind everyone that we have got the small matter of having to go to a very good League One side in a replay first if we are to get there.

"And we play Northwich on Saturday in the league, and that game is even bigger."

Patterson was full of praise for his Oxford side, who have now kept three successive clean sheets and are playing with the passion their manager demands.

"We had a good win against Kidderminster last week, and we have carried that on against a very good side who are challenging for promotion to the Championship," he said.

"I was delighted with the endeavour, spirit and attitude of my players.

"We are trying very hard to build something here and carried that on today.

"It's down to the players. We can train then, coach them and talk to them all week, but once they go over that white line, it is out of your hands as a manager.

"But they are taking on board what we are saying and deserve the credit they are getting."

Although they are almost 50 places below Southend, United took an attacking approach and switched to a three-man front line for the final 30 minutes, despite seeing their defence come under intense pressure.

And it was something Patterson was keen to emphasise will be his way of playing.

"I have said from the start that at home, we want to entertain the fans," he said.

"We knew we would come under pressure, but I did not want to put everyone back and just defend - we had a game place and stuck to it.

"If I was going to be nit-picking, we didn't maybe create as much as I would have liked, but that is being very harsh because we played very well.

"Yemi made a difference when he came on and I thought the front two worked very hard.

"I thought Ashley's shot in the first-half had gone in to be honest, it was one of the few clear openings we had.

"But I am proud of my players, because we had to perform very well if we were to stay in the competition and we did that."