A clinical second 45 minutes cancelled out two first-half wonder goals, and ultimately helped 2021’s FA Cup winners Leicester City to avoid a shock exit from this year's competition at the first hurdle.

Louis Page’s stunner broke the deadlock; however, Oxford City’s Scott Pollock came up with his own moment of magic to level up proceedings, scoring direct from a corner.

In the second half, the goals kept coming, though Leicester’s quality proved too much for a defiant Oxford side.

The game got off to a fairly tepid start, with Page’s stunning effort after 16 minutes proving to be the catalyst for the game springing into life.

The teenager found the ball way outside the area, but opted to take aim, and rightly so, as his effort nestled into the top left corner.

Oxford soon responded with chances of their own. Ellis Brown was a major threat on the right-hand side, winning plenty of corners. In the 31st minute, one of them proved crucial. Boyhood Leicester fan Scott Pollock whipped the ball into the area and the delicious cross evaded the clusters of men in the area and ultimately sailed into the far corner. Franco Ravizolli was in no man’s land; Pollock was in dreamland.

Between the equaliser and half-time, Leicester looked to take the sting out of the game. They slowed down proceedings, whilst also attempting to quieten down the partisan atmosphere.

After the break, Russell Martin opted for an offensive change with winger Harry Howell replacing Caleb Okoli. It was a move that was soon vindicated. By the 53rd minute, the Brighton loanee got to the byline, before delivering a ball which was wonderfully met by Emil Riis, who headed it home.

Six minutes later, Leicester had a third. Kamari Doyle’s outside-the-foot finish beat Jonny Maxted, giving the Foxes a much-needed two-goal cushion.

However, just after the hour mark, Oxford showed they weren’t going down without a fight. Captain Josh Ashby was found in behind, and from there he found the back of the net.

Ultimately, the comeback was short-lived, though. With 10 minutes of normal time to go, Tommy Watson found a fourth. The winger's footwork proved too tricky, and despite the angle, he managed to poke the ball into the far corner.

That ensured Leicester made it through to the second round of the cup, but it didn’t come easy. The likes of Howell and Watson changed the game, helping overcome a tough Oxford side.