OXFORD United Women made it through to the third round of the FA Cup with a little help from a penalty save in the closing stages.

The U’s had a couple of first half sights of goal in their second round home tie against Watford, with Zoe Barratt shooting narrowly over from just outside the penalty box, and Leah Burridge heading over from a Nic Gibson cross.

With 20 minutes to go, United made the breakthrough when a well-worked move found Vitalia Budaieva, who applied the finishing touch.

Eight minutes later though, the U’s needed Paris Sercombe to make a penalty save from Coral-Jade Haines after a spot kick was awarded for a handball.

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United manager Sam Rose said: “I’m really pleased with the win. I think we needed the win just off the back of the last two games.

“It was important we put a performance on, and I thought we did. It looked a lot more like us, so I’m really pleased.

“They’re a good side and this surface suits them. There were some good passages of play from both teams.

“Right the way through the team, it was really encouraging. For those players that didn’t start, for them to get minutes was important.”