Oxford City 1, Hornchurch 1: Oxford City were good value for a share of the points against Ryman Division 1 North title favourites Hornchurch at Court Place Farm on Saturday.

The visitors, who are well placed with four games in hand and with five full-time players on the books, were made to fight hard by a determined City.

Dave Wood, in the visitors' goal ahead of ex-Chelsea keeper Dimitre Kharine, who was on the bench, was the first to be tested when holding a good header from Martin Brown.

But it was Hornchurch who were unlucky in the 24th minute, Nick McDonald's powerful header smacking against the underside of City's crossbar.

City breached the tightest defence in the league when they went ahead with a splendid strike in the 36th minute. Howard Forinton raced on to a ball on the left and his first-time cross picked out Stuart Lewis, whose low left-foot drive nestled perfectly inside the far post.

As the visitors responded, Steve Benbow did well to turn aside a header from Andy Martin and then block a close-range effort from former West Ham striker Steve Jones.

City went close to a second when, in the 53rd minute, Mark Simms cut inside to shoot just wide from 25 yards with Wood well beaten.

With Matt Hayward and Brown in commanding form, City coped well with the Hornchurch threat.

But they were punished in the 68th minute when they allowed a long cross from Adam Locke to reach Craig Phipps, whose fine shot found the far corner.

Straight from the restart, City had a great chance to restore their lead when Robert Cruse sliced wide, and in the 90th minute, Forinton and Danny Wise were only a touch away from turning in a wicked free kick from Shaun Wimble.

Oxford C: Benbow, Cruse, Dark, Smith, Brown, Hayward, Lee, Forinton, Lewis, Simms, Wimble. Sub not used: Craker.

Attendance: 174.