Forest Green Rovers and Oxford United played out a goalless draw in the FA Cup first round tie at The Kassam Stadium meaning the two sides will meet again on Tuesday 20th of November in the replay.

Despite numerous chances in the second half, neither side were able to find a goal to take them through to the next round.

Mark Cooper made three changes to the side that lost at league-leaders Lincoln City a week ago as James Montgomery replaced Robert Sanchez in goal while Gavin Gunning made way for Farrend Rawson.

Reuben Reid also re-joined the side following an injury as Joseph Mills dropped out following a back spasm on the morning of the game.

With the rain giving way just before kick off, the encounter started brightly yet it took until the 15 minute mark for the first real chance to come. After some good work down the right from Tahvon Campbell and Carl Winchester, the former’s cut-back found Theo Archibald inside the area but his weak-footed effort flew high over the bar and into the car park behind the goal.

The hosts were next to create as Gavin Whyte skipped past a challenge before drilling a low cross in from the right, but his ball was just out of Sam Smith’s reach as he slid goalwards.

The referee’s half-time whistle brought an end to a docile 45 minutes as both teams headed down the tunnel with the score level at 0-0.

The second half started in a slightly more exciting manner, both teams creating chances early on. Dayle Grubb was first to try his luck as he drove down the left but hi effort was charged down.

Minutes later, a goalkeeper was called upon for the first time as with 50 minutes on the clock, Whyte cut inside and fired at goal but Montgomery got down well to save with his legs.

Having moved from left-back to right-wing early on in the encounter, Archibald was beginning to cause trouble for the Oxford defence. With 55 minutes on the clock his driving run inside ended in a powerful shot although it was comfortable for Simon Eastwood in goal.

The best chance of the opening hour came via the head of striker Smith but his flicked effort from Cameron Brannagan’s effort flew wide.

Twenty minutes from time Forest Green should have taken the lead. Substitute George Williams did brilliantly to find a low cross in from the left and after Reid let it run, Reece Brown had a golden opportunity to find the net but screwed his effort wide from 10 yards.

With two minutes of the encounter to play Forest Green must have thought they had won it as Nathan McGinley's ball in found Williams who slid in a thundered the ball against the base of the post.

Montgomery was called into action one final time in the encounter as he palmed away Brannagan's effort with mere seconds to go.

Attendance: 3,933 (452)

Referee: Nicholas Kinseley

Man of the Match: Paul Digby

Oxford XI: Eastwood, Garbutt, Dickie, Nelson, Brannagan, Smith, Browne, Mousinho ©, Whyte, Henry, McMahon

On the bench: Stevens, Norman (Garbutt 45’), Hanson (Mousinho 63’), Mackie (Smith 63’), Raglan, Long, Heap

Forest Green XI: Montgomery, James, Rawson, Winchester, Grubb, Brown, Campbell, Archibald, McGinley, Digby, Reid

On the bench: Sanchez, Williams (Campbell 65’), Gunning, Worthington (James 87'), Morris