Oxford City had to be satisfied with a point from a goalless draw at lowly Bishop’s Stortford in an entertaining Blue Square Bet North encounter on Tuesday night.

The result keeps Mike Ford’s men fourth in the table, but they had enough chances in the second half to have won comfortably.

City began well and Jack Mills set up an early chance for Steve Basham, whose volley flew just wide.

At the other end, Mills did well to block a Danny Green shot and then Reaneil Sappleton curled an effort just past the far post.

Much of the first half was confined to midfield and there were few clear-cut chances.

However, Nabil Sharif, recalled after impressing as a second-half substitute in last Saturday’s goalless draw against Stalybridge Celtic, was only just wide after being set up by Basham.

After the break, City had more of the ball and carved out several chances as Stortford were forced back onto the defensive.

Sharif saw his effort clear the bar, before home keeper Luke Chambers was forced into a fine save from Declan Benjamin.

City brought on Jamie Cook for Basham after 64 minutes but still struggled to find a way past the Stortford rearguard.

Chambers was by far the busier of the two keepers as City pressed for a goal, but in the end they were forced to settle for a point.

Oxford City: Ingram, Mills, Stonehouse, Malone, Leroyd, Willmott, Benjamin (Ballard 90), Pond, Basham (Cook 64), Sharif, Stanley (Skendi 78). Subs not used: Gunn, Walcott.

Referee: S Butler (Maidstone).

Att: 342.