Despite pushing Fleetwood Town all the way, Oxford City bowed out of the FA Cup First Round, after a 3-1 defeat to their League One opponents.

Alfie Potter managed to pull a goal back with ten minutes to go, a goal that looked to spark a comeback. However, it was ultimately in vain after goals from on-loan Everton midfielder Lewis Warrington & Paddy Lane (X2).

Ross Jenkins made four changes to the side that beat Hungerford Town. Josh Ashby returned from injury to come into the side, elsewhere Reece Fleet returned from suspension and Klaidi Lolos & Lewis Coyle.

City started the first half well and had the first chance of the half after five minutes but Josh Parker couldn’t squeeze the ball past Town goalkeeper Stolarczyk from the edge of the area.

Fleetwood showcased their League One credentials as the half progressed. Callum Morton should’ve given the hosts the lead when he was fed in on goal unopposed but Ben Dudzinski made a superb stop to deny the striker, rushing off his line to divert his shot wide.

However, it wasn’t level for long after Lewis Warrington, on loan from Premier League side Everton, fired the hosts ahead. He picked up the ball from the edge of the box and curled a shot into the top corner, leaving Dudzinski with no chance.

City weren’t out of the tie and were causing the hosts problems in their final third but before the Hoops could react, Fleetwood landed a sucker punch just before the interval. Paddy Lane was fed through on the edge of the box and drilled a low shot under Dudzinski.

The Hoops weren’t to be dismayed though and came out fighting in the second-half, and if it wasn’t for a questionable decision by referee Aaron Jackson, the tie could’ve ended differently.

Josh Earl hacked down Zac McEachran whilst on a booking, but when the referee refrained from reaching for a second to the bemusement of both benches.

However, Ross Jenkins’ side didn’t let that decision affect them and they continued to press the home side as they dominated the second-half.

Joe Iaciofano came agonisingly close to heading in Alfie Potter’s cross and then home goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk made a superb save from Josh Ashby’s fierce drive from the edge of the area.

Nevertheless City continued to threaten and they finally got their just rewards with ten minutes to go. A superb passing move led to McEachran slipping Potter in on goal, and he made no mistake bearing down on goal, slipping the ball between Stolarczyk’s legs from a tight angle.

 The away side’s hopes were re-ignited and there was a sense that the Hoops could maybe bring the League One outfit back to Oxfordshire for a replay. However, their hopes were crushed in the 85^th minute when Paddy Lane’s in swinging corner curled into the top corner with the aid of the woodwork.

A real hammer blow for the National League South side, who pushed their EFL hosts all the way but ultimately came up short. Nevertheless, the City players will take heart from the performance, as will the 130+ travelling City fans that made the 400-mile round trip.

Oxford City (3-5-2): Dudzinski, Ashby, Burley, Coyle, Fleet ©, McEachran, Lolos (Potter 45’), Parker (Iaciofano 60’), Harrison, Williams-Bushell (Carbon 88’), Carroll

Unused subs: Grantham, Miccio, Rowan, Fischer, Humphrey-Ewers, Muchechetere