Matt Green missed a penalty as Oxford United struggled to break through against Altrincham at the Kassam Stadium.
The 11th minute spot kick came when Simon Clist was brought down by keeper Stuart Coburn, but Coburn redeemed himself by diving to his right to save Green's penalty.
Manager Chris Wilder had played all three big guns of James Constable, Green and Jack Midson up front, dropping Jamie Cook to the bench.
Midson missed a good opprtunity when he headed over from Steven Kinniburgh's cross just before half-time as it remained goalless.
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