After 120 minutes of football nothing could separate United from National League South side Oxford City on Tuesday evening.
City, who play three levels above United, fielded a full strength side, whilst United made one change from the side that finished against Brimscombe on Saturday, with Jamie Perkins replacing the unavailable Henry Craven in goal.
The opening 10 minutes belonged to City, with United forced to defend for long periods. Despite their possession, City were unable to break down a disciplined defensive line from United and, indeed, it was not until the 18th minute that Perkins was tested, pushing a drive from 20 yards over the bar. For their part, United showed only fleeting spells as an attacking force, with neither side able to create a meaningful chance on goal.
The second half started in a similar fashion, with City pushing forward, and United soaking-up the pressure and hoping to catch the home side on the break. This almost worked on 68 minutes as Lynton Goss was put through on the left and, cutting in on to his right foot, saw his powerful shot blocked by Pritchard. As the half wore on, City again looked the more dangerous side and, on 76 minutes, a cross from the right was parried by Perkins in to the path of an attacker at the far post whose effort came back off the post and was cleared from danger. Five minutes before full time and City almost snatched a winner as a shot beat Perkins only for Johnston to clear off the line.
As it was, the game went in to extra time, with the best chance of the first half falling to United substitute Ben Gray, whose flicked header was pushed over the bar by Pritchard. Going in to the second half it was City who continued to enjoy the bulk of possession, but without creating any real opportunities, with United aggrieved not to have been awarded a penalty when Dan West appeared to be fouled in the box. The final chance of the game fell to United on 116 minutes, when Goss found himself with space around the penalty spot but he could only steer his shot over the bar.
With the score goalless, the match went to penalties with the home side securing a semi-final place 4-2.
United:
Perkins, Connelly, Lynn (Harrison), Hercules (Bailey), Johnston, Ashworth, Morris, Goss, Gledhill (Gray), West, Ricketts.
