OXFORD City boss Mark Jones has called on his team to repeat the heroics of 12 months ago when they travel to Hemel Hempstead Town tomorrow to bid for a place in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup.

City’s incredible run last season took them to the second round, earned themselves the plaudits of many, and, crucially, a massive financial boost for a club that are struggling with debts.

Jones said: “It’s a massive game for us. The carrot of that first round proper again should be all the motivation we need. We all enjoyed last season’s run so much. It wasn’t just the prestige of being in the national limelight, but of course, the financial aspect was a real lifeline for us.”

City lost to Hemel 2-1 last month, but it was a game they deserved at least a point from after a dominating second half display.

And Jones has been encouraged by his side’s recent performances.

“I’ve seen some really positive signs over the last couple of weeks,” he said.

“We have two or three new players in the team from when we played Hemel a few weeks ago, so hopefully we’ll be a bit of an unknown quantity for them.

“Hemel will also be full of confidence – they’re the home side and have been going ok.

“I think it’s going to be a 50-50 game, I know we will have to be somewhere near our best, but we have a chance.”

Luke Ruddick should return from illness for tomorrow’s tie after he missed last weekend’s 2-0 win over Concord Rangers.

Striker Leon Lobjoit has left the club after Jones was unable to guarantee him a place in his XI.

“It’s a shame Leon’s decided to move on,” he said. “I wanted to keep him with us, but he wants to be starting regularly. That’s not something I can guarantee, so he’s decided to move on.”

Despite Lobjoit’s departure, however, Jones is hopeful that he will have a full squad to choose from.

“We’ve had a good preparation, and fingers crossed everyone is fit and raring to go,” he said. “I just can’t wait for Saturday to arrive.”

City will earn another £25,000 if they can reach the first round.

“We all enjoyed our cup run last year,” Jones said. “It provided a real lifeline for us, and if we can emulate that, it will go a long way to resolving some of the well-documented financial issues we’ve had.

“We will go to Hemel and show them every respect, but we certainly don’t fear them.

“I’m not too concerned what our performance is like, as long as we get the win and get into the first round.”

Oxford City (v Hemel Hempstead Tn, away): from King, Wiltshire, Jefford, Ashby, Godwin-Malife, Oastler, McEachran, Fleet, Tshimanga, Sinclair, Bawling, Fasanmade, Jones, Eze, Carter, Ruddick.