A young Oxford United reserves side containing 15-year-old schoolboy Josias Carbon were good value for a point against Crystal Palace in last night's Avon Insurance Combination game at a snowy Manor ground.

The lines had to be cleared before the start, and although the snow ceased as the teams kicked off, the players did well to come to terms with a difficult surface and produced some good football.

Sam Ricketts put United ahead after 15 minutes, driving in an excellent cross by Jordan Holder, but within a minute, the home defence failed to clear a corner and Andrew Martin equalised.

A sliced clearance by Jon Shepheard in the 23rd minute led to Palace's second goal, full back Stephen Evans giving keeper Phil Wilson no chance.

Nine minutes before half-time, Jamie Brooks ran on to a superb through ball by Kelvin McIntosh to level the scores.

Both defences tightened up in the second half and although there were some neat moves, neither goal was seriously threatened.

Oxford Utd Res: Wilson, Folland, King, McIntosh, Linighan, Shepheard, Brooks, Ricketts, Holder (Cruse 83), Carbon (Lovegrove 70), McGowan. Subs not used: Spence, Jones, Ciampoli.

Referee: L Jones.

Attendance: 58.