Halifax Town have booked their place in the next round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy with a fine 2-1 win over Oxford United.

The Shaymen were dealt a blow before the game with Darryn Stamp withdrawing from the side injured and Kiwi International striker Shane Smeltz was brought into the first eleven.

Town didn't allow the late change to dent their plans and they started the game brightly. Tom Kearney's corner on 6 minutes found Neal Trotman's head six yards out and Oxford goalkeeper Billy Turley produced a one handed save to prevent the Shaymen going ahead.

On 10 minutes, a freekick from the right hand side saw a scramble in the home defence but Town managed to clear the ball to safety.

Rob Duffy had a good opportunity on 23 minutes, Killeen put pressure on Eddie Anaclet but the ball landed to Duffy on the half way line. He ran towards goal, Adam Quinn got to him at the edge of the box but he still got in a shot and went over the bar.

Toulson fired wide from a freekick but Town were soon ahead. Danny Forrest's shot hit a defender and the ball fell kindly to Smeltz who slotted home from 8 yards.

Town went 2-0 ahead just after the break, Nathan Joynes curling a shot past Turley from 25 yards. However Oxford hit back a minute later, Rob Duffy heading home a right wing cross.

Neal Trotman suffered an hamstring injury and was replaced by Jake Wright.

A backpass by the Oxford fullback stuck in the mud, Forrest challenged Turley and won the ball but his effort was cleared off the line by Georges Santos. Forrest saw an effort flash wide of the left hand post, while Mawson had to be alert to save a Duffy header.

Both goalkeepers produced some good blocks to thwart any more goals.

Chris Wilder had wanted a full bodied cup tie and that's what he got with action at both ends. Oxford finished the game with a 4-2-4 formation trying to force an equaliser but the Shaymen held on and could have made it safe earlier.

The Shaymen will face Redditch United at home in the next round on February 3rd.