OXFORD City needed a slice of good fortune to come from behind and earn an Emirates FA Cup replay against Hemel Hempstead Town.

Laurie Walker’s second-half own goal against his former club saw the fourth qualifying round tie end 1-1 and secured Mark Jones’s side a place in tonight’s draw for the first round proper.

The Vanarama National League South counterparts will now face each other again at Court Place Farm tomorrow evening.

City named new signing Kunle Otudeko on the bench at Hemel.

But it was the home side who registered the first shot, Phil Roberts firing wide, while Zac McEachran saw his effort deflect off target for the visitors.

Hemel nearly opened the scoring in bizarre fashion on 15 minutes, when an overhit free-kick cannoned off the bar and hit the back of goalkeeper Craig King’s head before bouncing to safety.

City’s best chance of the half fell to Kabongo Tshimanga but, despite latching on to a long ball and beating the onrushing Walker, his momentum took him wide and he could not pick out an unmarked Bobson Bawling.

Hemel began the second half well and took the lead when Roberts’ swerving shot found the top corner.

Jones made a double substitution, introducing Craig Fasanmade and Otudeko, and the changes made an immediate impact.

The former’s pace caused the hosts problems and he was heavily involved in the equaliser on 72 minutes.

Fasanmade was released down the left and he fired in a shot from a narrow angle which former City keeper Walker could only fumble into his own net.

The visitors were buoyed by the equaliser and McEachran’s deflected effort sailed just wide.

City continued to push for a winner, but were forced to settle for a draw and a replay.

Oxford City: King, Wiltshire, Jefford, Ashby, Godwin-Malife, Oastler, McEachran, Fleet, Tshimanga (Fasanmade 64), Sinclair, Bawling (Otudeko 64). Subs not used: Caro, Jones, Ruddick, Carter, Eze.