A Josh Parker header sent super Oxford City soaring into the quarter finals of the FA Trophy this afternoon with a sensational  1-0 win over National League high-flyers Forest Green Rovers.

Parker's header deservedly kept City's Wembley dream alive as they moved within two games of the Arch on a tension-packed afternoon at the MGroup Stadium. Amazingly, City had lost 5-0 at home in the league on Tuesday but they were unrecognisable this afternoon as they turned in one of their best performances of the season. Arguably ever.

After Tuesday's scoreline the Hoops understandably rotated things a little with Aaron Drewe and Andre Burley exchanging roles as right wing back and right centre-half and Tom Scott coming into the side in place of the ill Fleet. 

Those moves worked well and Ross Jenkins’ side matched their higher league visitors for the entire 90 minutes grabbing the crucial goal on 16 minutes when Parker glided a header inside the back post from a superb Josh Ashby corner to make it 1-0.

Having earned something to hold on to City fought for every ball and a patient Rovers side were restricted to a Manny Osadebe drive that smacked off the roof of the clubhouse rather than the roof of the net and a Christian Doidge header that flew well wide of Kai McKenzie-Lyle’s goal after half an hour of a fascinating first half that might have seen City double their lead but for a fine save from Jed Ward to deny the excellent Alfie Potter from 25 yards out.

The second half saw City on the front foot rather than sitting back to protect their lead but Forest Green are a side chasing a place in the EFL and  calmly continued to probe for openings rather than lump the ball into the box. 

City however created much the batter chances. They had two glorious opportunities to book their place in the next round.. First Corie Andrews fired too close to the keeper on a foray into the visitors penalty box after 67 minutes, then Josh Parker blazed over the bar after running free behind the Rovers back line.

Ben Tozer almost made them pay with a curling effort that flashed wide after 73 minutes but Parker powered a superb effort agonisingly against the bar on 81 minutes. There was high drama when a 93rd minute effort from the edge of the box hit at least three people and then the post but McKenzie-Lyle hadn't truly had too many other scares in the second half

The vegan visitors threw everything into the pot for the last ten minutes but City were not to be denied.  A magnificent result and the adventure continues.  Believe...

CITY

McKenzie-Lyle, Crewe, Burley, Ezennolim (Kpekawa 89), Ashby, Jones, Coyle (Willcox 75), Andrews (Roddy 93), Parker, Scott, Potter

Subs

McEachran, Croker, Harvey

ATT: 661

Report by Chris Wembley Williams, pictures Simon Open Top Bus Godfrey