Oxford City 2, Bury Town 1

Andy Gunn headed an 89th-minute winner as Oxford City came from behind to book a trip to Burton in the first round after a pulsating clash at Court Place Farm on Saturday. A crowd of 580 saw Mike Ford’s side trail at half-time to a Kieran Leabon header. But a spirited second-half display saw goals from Mark Janes and Gunn put City reach the first round for the first time in ten years, despite the sending-off of Andy Baird for two bookings. Baird looked like turning from hero to villain in the space of 60 seconds as he saw red. The defender made a sensational goalline block from Ben Coker with five minutes remaining, before being sent off less than a minute later. But his dismissal was the only negative for Ford, whose side showed real battling qualities. City trailed when a corner from the right was floated over by Coker, and Leabon headed home. But City levelled after 70 minutes when substitute Janes scored following a fine individual effort. The pacy winger collected the ball just inside the opposition half, and sprinted down the right flank before cutting in and firing home. And then when Mark Bell floated over a last-minute corner, Gunn rose to head home. Things started so promisingly for City, who almost took the lead in the second minute. Bell beat his man on the right-hand side, and then drove in a fierce shot that smashed against an upright. Bury, who had only arrived 40 minutes before kick-off, were struggling to string any meaningful passes together. And City struck the woodwork again on eight minutes when a cross-cum-shot from Jamie Brooks bounced off the top of the bar. However, having had nothing to do, City goalkeeper Richard Knight was then inches away from gifting the visitors the lead. Knight tried to be clever with a backpass from Andy Baird, chipping the ball up before clearing. But Leabon charged down the attempted punt forward, the ball flying inches wide of the goal. The visitors gradually got into the game, scoring with their first effort on goal to rock the hosts. With Lee Steele insolated in attack, City’s best chance of getting back into the game looked to come from the lively Bell. The winger crossed for Darren Pond to head goalwards, Marcus Garnham saving well. Bell was then instrumental in City’s best chance of the half. He played an inch-perfect through-ball for Michael Alexis to burst into the box. Alexis drew Garnham from his goal, fed Steele 12 yards out, but his mis-hit effort was blocked on the line. Knight was replaced by Milan Barisic at half-time after straining a thigh muscle in the first half. And both sides created chances early in the second period. Pond header from corner blocked on line by Elliot Hunter. A shocking piece of defending from Perpetuini almost saw City go two goals behind. The left back fluffed a headed clearance, which saw Callum Kearns and Ben Coker combine to feed Sam Reed, whose superb finish beat Barisic, but the striker was offside. Having been on the pitch for less than ten minutes, Janes’s fine individual effort levelled matters. Reed beat the offside trap, went around Barisic, and when he crossed, with the goal gaping, Coker somehow managed to hit Baird, and City scrambled clear. And after Baird saw red, it looked like City would have to cling on for a replay. But Gunn had the last word. Oxford City: Knight 5 (Barisic 46, 6), Clarke 7, Gunn 7, Baird 6, Perpetuini 6, Bell 8, Savage 7, Pond 7, Alexis 6 (Janes 59, 7), Brooks 6 (Ballard 88), Steele 6. Subs not used: Lyon, Morris. Booked: Alexis, Perp-etuini, Gunn, Baird. Sent off: Baird