It was honours even as Oxford City and local rivals Thame United battled out a Ryman League Division 1 stalemate at Court Place Farm last night, writes Russell Smith.

Both sides could be content with a point City because their resources were badly stretched due to suspension and injury, and Thame as it promises to settle their title jitters after a rocky run.

But on a bitterly cold night, there was little to warm the 247-strong crowd, with goalmouth action at a premium.

Defences were on top throughout, with neither side possessing a cutting edge in attack.

City, superbly marshalled by Julian Dark at the back, allowed Thame few chances, while United skipper Martin Brown was to the fore in the visitors' equally effective rearguard.

Mark West, Thame's newly-appointed assistant manager, had an early chance to add to his 24-goal tally, but volleyed Mark Jones's cross over the bar.

At the other end, Mark Druce skipped past two defenders, but scuffed his shot straight at Ian Moores.

Druce then shinned an effort wide of the post from Danny Wise's centre.

However, much of the play was in midfield, with Mickey Lewis digging in well for City, while Thame's Nando Perna went close to prising open the home defence with a shot which was saved low down by Alan Foster in his 100th game for the club.

Perna's quick feet created himself the space to test Foster with another shot after the break as Thame began to assert themselves.

But Foster then needed Dark to come to the rescue with a splendid goalline clearance after Jones clipped a shot over the City keeper as he came off his line.

Thame kept up the pressure and West hooked an effort over the City bar from close range.

However, it was Matty Whitehead who almost broke the deadlock for City in the closing stages with a low drive through a crowd of players which Moores did well to save at the foot of his post.

And Thame could have snatched victory deep into injury time when Foster failed to get distance on his punch, and Thame substitute Mick Swasyland headed high and wide of the empty net.

But a draw was a fair result and left both managers satisfied.

City boss Paul Lee said: "Obviously we are pleased we didn't get beat. We were down to the bare bones and I was pleased to keep a clean sheet."

His Thame counterpart, Andy Sinnott, added: "I thought we had the majority of the possession and just about deserved to sneak it, but I am not unhappy with the result."

Oxford City: Foster, Smith, Dark, Ferreira, Thorp, Emsden (Gray 87), Lewis, Whitehead, Druce, Wise (Waterhouse 68), Wimble. Sub not used: McMahon.

Thame Utd: Moores, Jones (Minton 81), Potter, A Williams, Brown, Avery, Merritt, West, Mitchell (Swaysland 71), Perna, Fontaine. Sub not used: Smith.

Referee: P Randall.

Attendance: 247.