A TYRONE Marsh penalty ensured Oxford United saw off Oxford City to make it two wins out of two outings in pre-season.

The striker came off the bench to win and then convert the 69th-minute spot kick.

It decided a keenly-fought derby where the visitors created the majority of the chances without making the most of them.

Both sides came away with reasons for encouragement and areas to work on, with City in particular able to take heart in what was their first run-out of pre-season.

Michael Collins, hours after completing his deal, went straight into United's starting line-up, along with fellow new signing Danny Hylton.

But it was City, who won the corresponding fixture 5-1 last summer, were the first to have a sight of goal.

Triallist Javi Rodriguez let fly in the tenth minute, but Max Crocombe held on.

At the other end Mark Scott was the busier of the two goalkeepers before half-time, as United threatened sporadically.

Their best chance came on 19 minutes, when Collins played in Josh Shama down the left.

The youngster crossed for Hylton, who was denied a debut goal as his stabbed shot was blocked by Scott.

City's goalkeeper was nearly caught out nine minutes later.

Hawtin, a busy presence on the right flank, crossed deep for Mullins to direct a header into the ground which almost looped up and over Scott, who quickly readjusted.

Scott was called into action again on the stroke of half-time.

Collins crisply found Shama, who spun and shot from the edge of the box to force the goalkeeper to turn the ball round his left-hand post.

Despite a lack of chances, City had been well in the game before the break and they came close to a spectacular goal just before the hour.

A long diagonal ball picked out Felipe Barcelos, whose first-time volley was low and hard, but Crocombe was well positioned to save without fuss.

The Brazilian striker showed another flash of skill three minutes later with a back heel to set up Lewis Wilson, but Johnny Mullins got across to make an excellent block.

It was the hosts' best spell of the game, but United took the lead shortly after replacing all ten outfield players at the same time.

Marsh leapt highest at a 69th-minute corner and when his header struck an arm, referee Dan Leach had no hesitation in awarding a spot kick.

The striker, fresh off the bench, confidently found substitute Alex Lynch's left-hand corner from 12 yards.

Adam Learoyd, another of City's replacements, came close to an equaliser with a firm header which flew wide as the game entered the final quarter of an hour.

Marsh and Lewis Hayden came close to making sure of the victory late on, but United saw out the closing minutes to come out on top.

They visit Didcot Town on Saturday, while City visit Wantage.

City: Scott, Benjamin, Lapoujade, Pond, Brown, Preece, Wilson, Mullings, Barcelos, Rodriguez, Winters.

Subs used: Lynch, Stonehouse, Parry, Isaac, Unzueta, Cooper, Learoyd.

United 1st half: Crocombe, Bevans (Hunt 63), Raynes (Long 63), Mullins (Grant 63), Newey (Welch-Hayes 63), Collins (Ashby 63), Rose (Hayden 63), Hawtin (Humphreys 63), Shama (Marsh 63), Potter (Kitson 63), Hylton (J Roberts 63).

United 2nd half: L Roberts.

Attendance: 903.