Lee Steele kept alive his hopes of facing his former Oxford United teammates when he scored twice in Oxford City’s straight-forward win at Court Place Farm on Saturday in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying round.

It’s the second year running that City have made the fourth qualifying round when Blue Square Premier clubs enter the draw, which is made this morning.

The in-form Steele proved too sharp for City’s Southern League Division 1 West opponents in a game marred by a double sending-off near the end.

After a bright start from the visitors in which City keeper Richard Knight saved smartly from Robert Dean, the home side went in front.

Steele played a short one-two with Mark Bell, before driving in the opening goal.

Bell then brought out a decent save from Cirencester keeper Mark Bath, who tur-ned the ball round for a corner.

Bath blocked well from Mark Janes, while Darren Pond was off-target with two chances

Oxford City 2 (Steele 18, 72)

Cirencester Tn 0

before the break.

The visitors enjoyed a spell of pressure in the second half, when Knight saved well from Tom Etheridge’'s 20-yard free-kick and a shot from the lively Carl Brown.

City’s second came when James Clarke made ground down the right , before setting up Steele for his sixth goal in two games.

A confrontation between City’s Liam Malone and Cirencester's Tom Etheridge resulted in both players beinggiven their marching orders With both team down to ten men, Clarke went on a 40- yard dash, but he shot wide.

There was drama in injury time when Cirencester were awarded a penalty.

But Knight capped a fine afternoon by diving to his right to push away Scott Geriffin’s spot-kick to seal City’s place in the next round.

Oxford City: Knight, Clarke, Perpetuini, Savage (Alexis 68), Pond, Gunn (Ballard 81), Janes ,Malone, Baird, Steele, Bell (Brooks 60). Subs not used: Barisic.

Attendance: 311