Wycombe Wanderers 1, Oxford City 1.

By Niall Jeger

This was one of City's finest hours as the Ryman League Division 1 outfit shocked their Nationwide Division 2 hosts.

Peirson's equaliser was richly deserved for had they lost, it would have been a travesty of justice. The non-League part-timers matched, and sometimes outplayed, Wycombe in this first-round clash.

Success in the replay a week tomorrow, back at Adams Park, would hand them a match with Wigan in the second round.

But with time running out on Saturday, the second round seemed a forlorn dream as City trailed to Michael Simpson's 66th-minute goal.

Strong made a charging run down the middle and teed up Jason Davy, whose shot was blocked by Wycombe keeper Martin Taylor for City's first, and only, corner of the match in the 87th minute. That was all they needed as Whitehead's perfect flag kick was glanced in by Peirson, right in front of the 150 or so City faithful behind the goal.

Justice had been done with City's 20th goal in their six FA Cup games so far this season. Stewart McCleary gave the first indication that City were going to be no pushovers.

He made a great run, rounded Taylor, but the ball ran out of play before he could do any damage.

At the other end, former City striker Jermaine McSporran, who had a disappointing game against his old team-mates, burst towards the City area but was pounced on by three defenders, and Julian Dark cleared

In the early exchanges, they sometimes had 11 players in their own half, but still looked dangerous on the break with Terry Sweeney and Davy linking well.

On the half hour, Foster did well to block a low header from Steve Brown and then parried Simpson's hard-hit drive from 18 yards.

Wycombe skipper Keith Ryan pulled Davy over in the 35th minute and received the first booking and City almost took the lead from the ensuing free kick. Justin Lee swung the ball in to Matty Hayward, whose, header struck the crossbar.

Foster denied Devine from close range in the 40th minute, but City ended the first half in control and Davy was unlucky when his shot was blocked by Taylor.

Wycombe were enjoying their best spell and Foster did well to keep out Ryan's low drive after good work from McSporran, but that was to be McSporran's last contribution as he was replaced by Paul Emblem.

Emblem made an immediate impact as his looping cross was bundled in by Simpson to put Wycombe ahead, but City took their game to a higher level.

They finally found the target in the 87th minute thanks to Peirson, but the replay could have been cruelly snatched away seconds later.

Straight from the re-start, Devine stormed through on goal and drew Foster off his line, but pushed his shot just wide, much to City's relief.