Oxford United produced a professional display to dispose of Blue Square south side Thurrock. Goals from Mark Creighton and an OG courtesy of Simon Clist who allowed the ball to deflect of Thurrock's Lee Flynn.

United will go into the draw for the 1^st round proper after an indifferent display against a stern Thurrock side. The U's were as expected the favourites for the tie although the appeal of a banana skin livened up the occasion for the opponents.

The away side were certainly doing just that during the first quarter, as the visitors pegged United back deep into their half. A new look formation wasn't cutting the mustard as the likes of Adam Chapman and Steven Kinniburgh looked run ragged by their opposite numbers. With the away side impressing United would have to rely on class in tricky conditions, Jamie Cook managed to sting an effort only to be denied before Adam Murray in a roaming like role hammered off the outside of the left hand post.

United were producing chances sporadically. The impressive Matt Bodkin who caused Steven Kinniburgh a headache all game the catalyst for all the opponents worth causing United to think more defensively. However they did manager to create an opening just before the break. Jamie Cook's in swinging cross found his strike partner Jack Midson who could only find the fencing behind Joe Wooley's goal.

United winger Sam Deering made an immediate impact to change the U's fortunes

United at the break unable to find their rhythm and missed passes from the likes of Damian Batt, Adam Murray and Adam Chapman were not helping United. The home side needed a spark to transform the game in United's favour... Up step fit again Sam Deering from oblivion.

The second half began in completely different fashion. The diminutive winger Deering sparked Wilder's side into life as within minutes of coming on United really should have opened the scoring. Jamie Cook's mazy run put two defenders on their backsides and with only one man on the goal line somehow managed to steer his goal bound effort onto the post. The heavens nevertheless were shining on United; Adam Murray's resulting corner was cleared only as far as Mark Creighton who swivelled to bury the left footed drive into the bottom left hand corner of Wooley's goal.

Creighton's opener lifted United's play and the fans jittery patience and you sensed there maybe more to come. Thurrock's stance in the game began to fade as did their belief that they could salvage a reply as Luke Foster powered a header wide following a United corner, further efforts from Jack Midson and then Sam Deering hitting the post summed up United's luck.

Deering then had a one on one smothered by Wooley as United dominance and fitness became openly apparent as the chances flowed. Finally Deering's impact was rewarded with an end product. The youngsters forceful run managed to embark on numerous unsuccessful challenges as Deering found space in the area. A low drive to the unmarked Simon Clist who cushioned the ball with his stomach to find the figure of Lee Flynn on the line who could only watch as the ball cannoned off him to put the Blue Square premier leaders 2 up.

Others chances flew wide as United were wasteful at best as Midson had a goal chalked off for offside and a late, late surge from Dannie Bulman saw his effort fly past the wrong side of the post.