Oxford City 1 Thame United 1: Stuart Lewis capped an excellent week with the equaliser in Saturday's entertaining Ryman League Division 1 North derby with neighbours Thame United.

Thame's Alex Stewart heads across goalWith time running out, it looked as though Mark West's goal would be enough for a Thame victory, until Lewis, who was promoted to the first team thanks to an impressive two-goal midweek display for City Reserves, rammed home the equaliser on 76 minutes.

The home side should have been ahead after only three minutes, but Danny Wise blazed over after he had chipped the ball over Thame keeper Alan Foster.

Seconds earlier, Foster had made a fine save to deny Alex Stewart, who proved a handful throughout for City's defence.

After West went close for Thame, the visitors were lucky not to concede the opener when defender James Saulsbury headed against the foot of a post as he tried to clear a cross from City's impressive midfielder Justin Lee.

Seconds after City's Andy Smith thundered a 25-yard shot over the crossbar, Thame thought they had taken the lead on 20 minutes, only for the referee to wave play on, even though Stewart's follow-up appeared to go over the line.

On 27 minutes, City were to rue their missed chances when West headed home after Stewart flicked on Mark Jones's excellent free kick.

Mark Avery's powerful shot was well held by City keeper Steve Benbow, but City almost got back in the game just before half-time when Thame's Andy Williams nearly put through his own net as he tried to clear a dangerous cross from Lee.

After the break, City were enraged when the referee, rather than play advantage, blew for a foul on Nando Perna as he headed for the penalty area.

Lewis had a great chance to level on 57 minutes, but somehow headed over the bar from Lee's pinpoint cross.

It was all City, with Shaun Wimble firing wide and Lewis Craker inches away from converting Lee's chip into the area.

On 67 minutes, though, City were grateful to Benbow, who saved Mark Avery's header at the foot of a post.

Lewis's header was kept out by Foster, before he netted the equaliser for City after Wimble's inswinging corner caused panic in the Thame defence.

A draw was probably a fair result, though it was such a shame there were so few, just 202, to see an excellent derby clash.

Oxford C: Benbow, Cruse, Dark, Smith, Brown, Craker, Lee, Perna (Charles 70), Lewis, Wise (Simms 70), Wimble. Subs not used: Brain, Whitehead.

Thame Utd: Foster, Freeman (Silvestri 77), Joyce, Saulsbury, Williams, Smith, Avery, West, Stewart (Gardner 85), Jones (Ferreira 88), Thornton. Subs not used: Abassi, Chown.

Attendance: 202.