OXFORD City’s dream run in the Emirates FA Cup came to an end in heartbreaking fashion as Notts County struck at the death to claim a dramatic victory.

Witney-born Jorge Grant’s 95th minute winner cruelly denied the Vanarama National League South side a place in the third round draw for the first time.

The part-timers had trailed to Richard Duffy’s scrambled effort at half-time.

But the match came to life after the break, with Rob Sinclair firing the visitors level on 53 minutes, before Jon Stead quickly restored County’s lead from the penalty spot.

City were not finished, though, and Paterson delightfully curled home with 17 minutes to go.

However, just as the non-league side thought they had earned a famous replay against the Sky Bet League two high-flyers, Grant struck from close range to break their hearts.

Paterson and Sinclair returned to lead the attack as Mark Jones made two changes from the defeat by Hereford in the Buildbase FA Trophy last week.

There was no place for captain Lee Henderson in the starting XI, the defender missing out with a dead calf, so centre halves Joe Oastler and Christian Navarro continued their partnership.

County’s team selection backed up boss Kevin Nolan’s pre-match promise of not taking City lightly.

They made one change from their win over Colchester United, replacing an ex-Premier League striker with another as Stead came in for Shola Ameobi.

It was important City kept it tight early on, with County restricted to an off-target Shaun Brisley header after 12 minutes.

The visitors were already frustrating their hosts and Paterson headed a Dave Sinclair cross just wide at the back post.

City had started well, pressing as a team and getting men behind the ball when out of possession, while they attempted to offer a threat going forward.

But County were always going to create chances and Stead’s acrobatic effort from a Terry Hawkridge cross forced goalkeeper Jack Stevens into a fine save on 30 minutes.

However, the resulting corner led to the deadlock being broken as City failed to clear Hawkridge’s delivery and Duffy hooked the ball into the corner from close range.

The visitors did not let the goal affect them, but they struggled to get out of their own half.

County only created one further chance before the break, though, as Stead headed weakly at Stevens.

The part-timers started the second half with more purpose and Navarro volleyed over after the hosts half-cleared a Sinclair corner.

A frantic five minutes then ensued.

Stead cut in from the left and his effort deflected off Oastler, beating Stevens but not the post.

And 60 seconds later, City went down the other end and levelled as Zac McEachran’s cross found Sinclair on the edge of the box, who fired low into the corner on 53 minutes.

The goal seemed to wake up the hosts, who were straight on the attack and Hawkridge was tripped by Freddie Grant in the area.

It was a clear penalty and Stead sent Stevens the wrong way from the spot.

City, though, refused to give in and Paterson curled a 62nd-minute effort just wide of Ross Fitzsimons’ post.

Lewis Alessandra then headed onto the roof of the net as County went in search of a third to kill the tie off.

The game became stretched, Stevens making a fine save from Elliott Hewitt, before Hawkridge flashed a shot across goal.

But City stunned the home fans, once again, as McEachran fed Paterson, who curled a wonderful effort into the top corner, which left Fitzsimons grasping at thin air.

The non-league side had 17 minutes to either stick or twist.

Stevens had to be alert to keep out a Jorge Grant volley and despite being camped in their opponents half, County struggled to find a way through.

Four minutes were added on at the end of normal time, but all County could muster was a Jonathan Forde header over the bar.

But one last roll of the dice, saw Stevens deny Forte, before Jorge Grant - who grew up in Witney, Oxfordshire, of all places - tucked home on the rebound to send the home fans into raptures and break City hearts.

Notts County (4-4-2): Fitzsimons, Tootle, Duffy, Brisley, Dickinson, Hawkridge, Yates, Hewitt, Grant, Stead, Alessandra (Forte 67).

Subs not used: Pindroch, Smith, Hunt, Walker, Jones, Milsom.

Oxford City (4-4-1-1): Stevens, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Navarro, Oastler, Grant (Fleet 71), Pearce (Jones 85), Poku, Fofana, McEachran, Sinclair, Paterson.

Subs not used: Sanders, Forde, Hirst, Tutton.

Referee: John Brooks (Leicestershire).

Attendance: 5,092 (274 visitors).