Oxford City came from behind to avoid defeat and claim an impressive top-ten place in their first season in Blue Square Bet North.

Former Oxford United striker Ricky Sappleton struck spectacularly in the second half to give the visitors the lead before Jamie Cook pounced to earn City a draw.

With neither side involved in promotion or relegation battles there was only pride at stake and as a result it proved to be a game of few chances.

The opening exchanges sparked little incident, with neither side looking likely to break the deadlock though it was Bishop’s Stortford who came the closer of the two.

Sappleton drew a save from City keeper Nick Townsend with a dangerous free-kick just outside the area.

And Townsend was again called into action to tip a volley from Adam Bailey-Dennis onto the crossbar.

A tame headed effort from Nick Stanley was the best City could muster in the opening 45 minutes as they failed to test Stortford goalkeeper Carl Pentney.

It took a moment of genuine quality to separate the two sides, provided by Sappleton 11 minutes into the second half.

He unleashed a thunderous 30-yard effort which flew into the back of the net.

But City levelled shortly afterwards when Mark Bell picked out Cook with a dangerous ball across the face of goal, the striker making no mistake.

City could have taken the lead minutes later in almost identical circumstances, but this time Cook was unable to turn Bell’s cross goalwards.

And Townsend had to be alert to keep substitute Aaron Greene’s cross-cum-shot from dropping below the crossbar in the closing stages to preserve a point for City and secure an impressive tenth-place finish.

Oxford City: Townsend, Benjamin, Stone-house, Malone (Basham 79), Gunn, Willmott, Bell, Pond, Barcelos, Cook, Stanley (McNish 61). Subs not used: Joyce, Learoyd, Leiva Referee: M Blackledge.

Attendance: 345.