Two goals in the last 12 minutes saw battling City come from behind to record a splendid Ryman League Division 1 victory at Woodside Park on Saturday.

The late burst keeps alive City's outside chances of promotion.

The visitors had the best of the early exchanges as Mark Druce went close in the third minute and a Shaun Wimble free kick was headed just over by Andy Smith.

Druce then shot wide after an excellent build-up, and home keeper Desborough just got a hand to keep out a low drive from the same player.

Having made all the running, City went behind in the 28th minute when Risley powered home a header from Hayes's corner.

Right on half-time, City wasted a great opportunity to level. Danny Wise beat Desborough to a through ball from Mickey Lewis, only for his shot to find the side-netting.

Another good start to the new half by City saw Dwaine Strong skip past two defenders, but he delayed his cross and the chance was gone.

Stortford began to dictate but City's defence were coping well with high-scoring home strikers John and Paul.

After John had a goal ruled out for offside, City levelled in the 78th minute with an excellent goal. Julian Dark made a surging run from deep in his own half to pick out Wise, who cut inside a defender and sent a perfect low drive across Desborough into the far corner.

Although John went close with a header which glanced off the top of the City crossbar, it was the visitors who were now searching for the winner.

Wimble had an effort saved by Desborough, but with just two minutes left, City snatched the winner. Wimble combined with Strong, and Smith arrived in the area to meet his cross and send a brave header past the keeper.

Oxford C: Foster, Smith, Dark, Peirson, Thorp, Wise, Lewis (Emsden 64), Whitehead (Ferreira 59), Druce, Strong, Wimble. Sub not used: Waterhouse.

*Abingdon Town's Ryman Division 3 game at home to Bracknell was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.