After being second best for the first 70 minutes of Saturday's Ryman Division 1 game, Oxford City could easily have taken all three points from visitors Ford.

It was only the legs of goalkeeper Chapman, plus the woodwork, which denied them in a frantic finish.

Read and Cove wasted early opportunities for United before the meanest defence in the league gifted City the lead in the eighth minute. A back pass from Thomas evaded Chapman, and Dwaine Strong nipped in to score from close range.

Although Benstock cleared a rare City threat from Strong off the line, it was the visitors who were well on top.

Alan Foster saved well to deny Bejeda, and just before the break, Allen's header was just too high.

City suffered a blow when centre back Michael Thorp, playing his first game for ten weeks, did not reappear for the second half.

And it was no surprise when United levelled in the 57th minute, with Read despatching a low drive past the helpless Foster.

As the game entered the final quarter, City suddenly came to life. Substitute Danny Wise wasted a great chance and, after Strong had shot inches wide, City were unlucky when a tremendous 25-yard strike by Shaun Wimble cannoned back off the bar.

Wise and Nigel Emsden wasted good opportunities and in quick succession, Chapman saved well to keep out close-range efforts from Matty Whitehead and Richard Peirson.

City nearly won it in the last minute but after breaking clear, Strong sent his shot just over.

**Oxford City: Foster, Sweeney, Organ, Peirson, Thorp (Wise HT), Dark, Emsden, Whitehead, Druce, Strong, Wimble. Sub not used: Ferreira.