Oxford striker Steve Basham struck a hat-trick to end Eastbourne Borough's FA Cup dream at the Kassam Stadium.
But the plucky part-timers gave a superb account of themselves and the scoreline did them little justice.
Before Basham had fired Oxford into a 20th minute lead, the part-timers had hit the bar and had a shot cleared off the line.
And in the second half, with Yemi Odubade giving the Oxford defence the run-around, they did everything but score.
It was a hard-earned first round replay victory for Brian Talbot's men who have been struggling for form in League Two and it earns them a local derby at Cheltenham in the second round.
Eastbourne carved out dozens of chances with Odubade proving a real handful.
But Basham, who had scored a superb goal in the first match at Priory Lane Stadium, showed his class in front of goal with a low shot on 20 minutes after a long run from Eric Sabin.
He grabbed his second on the stroke of half time with a stooping header from Chris Hargreaves' cross.
Both Andy Atkin and Dean Cox had shots cleared off the line by Lee Mansell and Leo Roget in the second half.
Basham completed his hat-trick with a penalty in the final minute after Phil Warner had tripped Chris Hackett.