Oxford United 0 Tonbridge Angels 0

TONBRIDGE Angels earned a deserved FA Trophy first round replay against Blue Square Premier side Oxford Untied at a freezing Kassam Stadium on Saturday.

They might have won it had substitute Hamid Barr not struck a post 15 minutes from time with goalkeeper Billy Turley beaten.

They also won two corners in stoppage time as out-of-sorts Oxford struggled to make any impression in a game watched by a crowd of only just over 1,500.

It was hardly the money-spinning day that the Angels imagined when the draw was made and the indication of how far the home side have fallen was highlighted by the fact that exectly 20 years ago they lost 3-1 against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Tonbridge enjoyed their day, cheered on by more than 200 travelling fans, and they saw the Angels camp in the home side's half for the opening quarter of an hour.

Kirk Watt and Fraser Logan never stopped running for the Angels all afternoon but it was goalkeeper Matt Reed who kept them in the tie with four important second half saves.

Tonbridge had the best chance in the first half when Scott Kinch saw his goalbound effort headed off the line by Alex Jeannin. But Oxford struggled to really test the Angels defence.

Tonbridge had three players booked but will look forward to a second bite of the cherry at Longmead on Tuesday night.