Oxford City have saved themselves a hefty expenses bill – thanks to quick-thinking from assistant manager Mike Ford.

As soon as the FA Cup fourth qualifying round draw was made late on Monday morning, City anxiously looked at where opponents Eastbourne Borough were in action this weekend – their last match before the clubs meet at Court Place Farm on October 25.

To their horror, they saw Eastbourne were away at Barrow – a 460-mile round trip!

However, Ford realised that Eastbourne had been live on Setanta on Sunday when they entertained Stevenage in the Blue Square Premier – with a re-run of the match being shown that afternoon.

"I had the match on in the background on Sunday, but hadn't really paid much attention to it," Ford said.

"But when the draw was made, I realised that Setanta show a re-run the following day.

"So, I sat down with a cup of tea and my notepad and watched the match in full, making notes on how Eastbourne played."

He added: "Let's be honest, who wants to go to Barrow!"