OXFORD United sailed into the third round of the Emirates FA Cup with a late goalfest at home to Exeter City.

Matty Taylor gave United a first half lead, before Billy Bodin struck twice in the second half, either side of a strike from Cameron Brannagan.

Exeter scored a late consolation to add some element of respectability to the scoreline.

The draw for the third round takes place on Monday evening, when Premier League and Championship sides will go into the hat.

Karl Robinson made four changes to the side which drew 1-1 at home to Forest Green Rovers.

One of those was in goal as Ed McGinty came into the team for Simon Eastwood, while Elliott Moore returned from an ankle knock, in place of Sam Long.

A tactical tweak from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3 saw Marcus McGuane come into the midfield for Lewis Bate, while Jodi Jones was given an opportunity in the attack as he replaced Bodin.

Both sides enjoyed spells of possession at the beginning of the opening period, with the first shot coming from Grecians wing-back Jake Caprice.

Brannagan though was able to get a block on the effort from inside the penalty area.

Two minutes later, Taylor opened the scoring for the U’s.

A mistake from Cheick Diabate allowed Taylor to get through one-on-one with Jamal Blackman.

With the goalkeeper stranded, Taylor arced an effort from 20 yards around Blackman and into the back of the net.

Exeter responded well and Sam Nombe brought a low save from McGinty when he struck an effort from just outside the penalty box.

Just before the 20-minute mark, Caprice sent in a dangerous cross from the right-hand side, with Josh Key unable to apply the finish at McGinty’s back post.

United had wasted two previous free kicks from good positions – Jones and Brannagan hitting efforts into the wall – before James Henry almost scored from a wide set-piece.

Marcus Browne had found himself the victim of a number of fouls, and was hauled down on the left.

It looked like a good crossing position, but Henry opted to shoot, with the ball whistling just inches over Blackman’s bar.

Three minutes before the break, United had a triple chance, with Exeter thankful for some heroic goalkeeping from Blackman.

McGuane worked himself into the box and fed Henry, who backheeled an effort which was thwarted by Blackman, who then was up quickly to deny Brannagan at his back post.

Exeter boss Gary Caldwell introduced Jay Stansfield at the break, in place of Jack Sparkes.

The 20 year-old striker, on loan from Fulham, had the first chance of the second half, swivelling on the edge of the penalty box before sending a right-footed effort just wide of the post.

Straight at the other end, Moore hit an effort just wide after a free kick from the left found him in space inside the Exeter box.

United’s next chance came from a set-piece as Ciaron Brown sent a header goalwards, but the away side were able to clear their lines as Browne looked to apply a finishing touch.

Brannagan then shaved the outside of the post with an effort from just outside the penalty box as the U’s looked for a second goal to kill the tie.

United did double their lead – but only after a scare in their own six-yard box.

Caprice whipped in a cross from the left, which Key headed towards goal, but McGinty spilled the ball and had to get up quickly to claim the ball before it bounced across the goal-line.

Substitute Bodin tapped home from inside the six-yard box after a right-wing cross from Taylor, before Brannagan made it three when he fired home from the edge of the penalty box.

A quickfire fourth was added when the ball was played through to Gatlin O’Donkor, who touched the ball onto Bodin.

United’s No 7 stayed calm to double his individual tally with a composed finish beyond Blackman.

Straight away though, Exeter pulled a consolation back when Matt Jay appeared to get a touch on a Caprice cross in what was a whirlwind end to the game.

Oxford United (4-3-3): McGinty; Anderson (Long 60), Moore, Findlay, Brown; Henry (Bate 60), McGuane (Bodin 64), Brannagan; Jones (Goodrham 60), Taylor, Browne (O’Donkor 85).

Unused subs: Eastwood, Golding, Seddon, Gorrin.

Booked: McGuane, Taylor.

Exeter City (3-4-3): Blackman; Sweeney, Diabete (Chauke 73), Hartridge (Grounds 82); Caprice, Dieng, Collins, Sparkes (Stansfield 46); Key, Nombe (Jay 82), Brown.

Unused subs: Sowden, Harper, Kite, Beardmore.

Booked: Hartridge, Sparkes, Key.

Referee: Will Finnie (Bedfordshire)

Attendance: 3,599 (427 visitors)