STEVE Basham struck twice in the second half as Oxford City eased to a 3-0 victory at Didcot Town in last night’s FA Cup first qualifying round replay.
City, who will now visit Thame United in the second qualifying round on October 1, pulled clear after both teams struggled to adjust to the rain-soaked pitch in the first half.
Lee Steele had a shot saved by Michael Lyons in the Didcot goal and was foiled by a brave Alex Stanley tackle.
Stanley also cleared off the line from Basham, but the former Oxford United striker was not to be denied and put City ahead on 46 minutes after lifting the ball over Lyons and tapping home.
Basham and Darren Pond missed good chances for City before they made the game safe on 73 minutes.
Steele, who looked slightly off-side, raced clear and crossed for Basham to fire home from 12 yards.
Felip Barcelos’s 25-yard free-kick made it 3-0 to the visitors late on, but Didcot were already well-beaten by that stage.
Didcot Tn: Lyons, Heapy, Halliday (Henderson 75), Peirson, Stanley, Tucker, Millar, Howell, Faulconbridge, Seaward, Da Silva (Charles 65).
Oxford City: Mooney, Ballard, Martin (Ashton 40), Clarke, Pond, Blossom, Barcelos, Benjamin (Haysnam-Membrillera 80), Basham (McDonagh 76), Steele, Fleet.
Att: 162.
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