Burton 3 (Harrad pen 13, Maghoma 45, Austin 90) Oxford City 2 (Alexis 6, Brooks 54) OXFORD City suffered injury-time heartbreak as they bowed out despite a superb display against the League 2 side Burton yesterday.

It was hard luck on City who looked like they would hold on for a draw, but Ryan Austin headed the winner to break City's hearts.

It looked as though City would bow out as the trailed 2-1, but Jamie Brooks's header brought Mike Ford's outfit level.

City, who were without the suspended duo of Andy Baird and Liam Malone, and the cup-tied Steve Davis,had a dream start when Michael Alexis cracked home an 18-yard shot.

It was no more than City deserved as they had started the stronger side.

The game was only six minutes old when Alexis fastened onto a mis-directed header from defender Guy Branston before firing under Artur Krysiak.It followed a mis-header from defender Guy Branston.

But on 13 minutes, Burton levelled from the penalty spot through Shaun Harrad after he was pushed by David Perpetuini. Not much contact was made but ref pointed to the spot.

The visitors didn't let their heads drop and continued to take the game to Burton.

Burton took the lead when their former Tottenham midfielder Jacques Maghoma jinked through City's defence before netting at Richard Knight's near post.

After the break, Knight pulled off a good save after substitute Greg Pearson got his head to Michael Simpson's cross.

Having weathered the storm, City went close to levelling when a corner from Alexis was headed inches wide by the on-rushing Mark Janes.

And on 54 minutes, City wdid just that when a brilliant right-wing cross found Jamie Brooks who headed home to send City's support wild with delight.

It was game on and it was City who were in the ascendancy.

Maghoma should have been booked for a two-footed challenge on Alexis. The ref then booked Ballard for a late challenge on Phillips.He was one of three City players yellow carded the rest Darren Pond unleashed a super shot from 18 yards that the keeper saved down to his right on 69 minutes.

Pond made an excellent headed clearance as Burton came back into it.

Two minutes from time Ballard almost won it when he burst through only for Branston to make a super block.

With time running out, City were reduced to ten men when he brought down substitute Serge Makofo to set-up a frantic finale.

And it was heartbreak when Ryan Austin headed in a Simpson free-kick.

Burton Albion: Krysiak, Webster, Simpson, James, Harrad, Walker, Austin, Penn, Phillips, Maghoma, Branston. subs Stride, Redmond, Goodfellow, Pearson, Brown, Makofo.

Oxford City: Knight,Clarke, Perpetuinis, Savage, Pond, Gunn, Janes, Alexis, Ballard, Steele, Brooks. Subs: Bell, Lyon, Morris, Meade, Barisic.

Attendance - 2, 207.