Forest Green Rovers fell out of the FA Cup to League One opposition as they lost 3-0 at home to Oxford United in a First Round replay.

James Henry gave the visitors the lead in the 35th minute before Oxford dealt a sucker punch two minutes after half time through the experienced Jamie Mackie.

Despite a spirited performance from the hosts, the U’s wrapped up the victory when Marcus Browne netted 12 minutes from the end.

Mark Cooper made one change to the side that lost to Morecambe at the weekend with Tahvon Campbell coming in to replace George Williams.

The side from the league above started well and Karl Robinson was turning in angst when the ball was drilled low along the box in the fifth minute but James Henry couldn’t connect when he swung a leg at it inside the box unmarked.

Rovers responded immediately a minute later when Theo Archibald got down the left and delivered a ball into the box but Campbell and Reuben Reid, running into the box, weren’t able to latch onto it.

In the 14th minute, Lloyd James whipped in a peach of a delivery from the left but Campbell’s flick on went just wide of the far post.

In the 25th minute, Rovers had their clearest chance when Paul Digby rose highest to head a corner from Theo Archibald but it deflected off the head of Campbell as it looked destined for the net before being cleared behind for another corner.

From the resulting set-piece, the ball bounced off Mills at the back post and a scramble ensued with Campbell at the heart of it but Oxford were eventually able to clear their lines.

However, it was the visitors who got the critical first goal in the tie in the 35th minute.

Despite a good save from James Montgomery to deny Cameron Brannagan’s curling effort from the edge of the box but it spilt to Henry who reacted quickest to tap home.

Oxford went close to doubling their lead just two minutes later when Mackie saw an effort from the edge of the box deflected just wide of the post for a corner, which came to nothing.

There was just one goal in it at the break but it took just over a minute for the League Two side to extend their advantage after the break.

Josh Ruffels was allowed to spin in the box and his drilled cross across goal is turned in by Mackie.

Montgomery was called into a good save in the 59th minute when Gavin Whyte was played in down the right but as he looked to cut his shot across the FGR stopper, Montgomery was able to get a strong right foot to it.

FGR were forced to find a way back into the contest and it nearly came in the 66th minute when Joseph Mills, wearing the captain’s armband, delivered a good ball into the back post but Reid couldn’t get over it and his header from inside the six-yard box rose over the bar.

Just a minute later and a last-ditch clearance from Robert Dickie then denied George Williams’ curling effort that was heading for the bottom corner, but the corner failed to trouble Simon Eastwood in the Oxford goal.

In the 77th minute, Oxford looked to put the game beyond Forest Green’s reach when a ball was played to the back post but it could only bounce off substitute Sam Smith and Montgomery could throw his cap on it.

Oxford secured their third of the night as substitute Browne found the bottom corner to beat an outstretched Montgomery from the edge of the box and book a second round date with Plymouth Argyle.

Forest Green Rovers XI: Montgomery, James, Rawson, Winchester, Brown (Worthington 79’), Campbell, Archibald (Williams 52’), McGinley, Digby, Mills, Reid (Morris 69’).

Unused subs: Sanchez, Gunning, Pearce.

Oxford United XI: Eastwood, Garbutt, Dickie, Nelson, Hanson, Brannagan, Ruffels, Mousinho, Whyte (Long 72’), Henry (Browne 66’), Mackie (Smith 66’).

Unused subs: Norman, Raglan, Stevens, James

Attendance: 1,614 (509)

Man of the match: Joseph Mills

Referee: Trevor Kettle