OXFORD City are in the Emirates FA Cup first round for a third successive season.

Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Margate booked Mark Jones’s side a place alongside Oxford United and other Football League sides in tonight’s draw.

Both goals came inside the opening 15 minutes.

But after the hosts missed further opportunities to put the match out of reach, they were forced to endure some nervous times before sealing victory.

City took the lead in the tenth minute when a free-kick from Josh Ashby saw Finn Tapp head on before the ball eventually fell for Nana Owusu to rifle into the bottom corner.

The home side soon quickly doubled their lead.

Reece Beckles-Richards and Ben Jefford combined before a cross into the box was turned home by Kyran Wiltshire.

City were inches away from No 3 just three minutes later, but Jack Self’s shot hit the crossbar and rebounded to safety.

Reece Fleet fired over the bar, but Margate displayed a threat too.

Jack Richards went close with one effort, before on the stroke of half-time George Essuman headed goalwards, but with Craig King beaten, his effort was off target.

The visitors came out strongly after the break.

And on 57 minutes they gave themselves a lifeline when Kadell Daniel’s long-range free-kick rebounded off the post for O’Shane Stewart to tap into the empty net.

They almost levelled five minutes later when Daniel’s drive flew inches wide of the target.

King was then called upon to keep out an effort from Elliott Reeves which looked destined for the net.

City were being forced deeper and deeper and were unable to find a way out as their rivals pushed forward searching for an equaliser.

However, eight minutes from time it was the home side who fashioned a golden chance.

On the break, Ashby played through substitute Craig Fasanmade, but he was unable to convert.

That meant the remaining time was played out on a knife-edge, but City’s back line held firm to seal a superb victory.

They will now be hoping for a plum tie when the draw takes place at around 7.15pm.

Oxford City: King, Jones, Jefford, Ashby, Oastler, Wiltshire (Moore-Azille 89), Fleet, Owusu (McEachran 70), Self, Beckle-Richards (Fasanmade 65), Tapp. Subs not used: Gough, Wright, Paul-Jones, Hawkins.

Attendance: 442.