BRADLEY Bubb held his nerve to convert a stoppage-time penalty and earn Oxford City a draw at home to leaders Ebbsfleet United.

The late comeback looked a long way off for much of the Vanarama National League South match.

City fell behind to an Aaron McLean header in the first half and were later reduced to ten men after Reece Fleet was sent off.

Bubb missed a penalty midway through the second half, but made amends with almost the last kick of the game after Danny Kedwell received his second yellow card for handling the ball in the area.

McLean showed his class as he terrorised City’s defence, but missed a chance on five minutes.

The visitors broke forward quickly from a City corner and found McLean free in front of goal, but goalkeeper Laurie Walker raced off his line and diverted his effort wide.

However, the breakthrough did come in the 18th minute when McLean headed home Anthony Cook’s free-kick.

After the break, Matt Godden went close for the visitors, but Alejandro-Adrian Santiago blocked both his initial effort and the rebound.

Walker then denied McLean his second with a superb reaction save.

City were handed a lifeline in the 55th minute when Kynan Isaac was tripped in the box.

But Bubb’s penalty was poor and easily saved by keeper Brandon Hall.

Matters were made even worse 12 minutes from time when Fleet was given his marching orders for a mistimed lunge on Kedwell.

But just as all hope appeared lost, City were handed one final chance.

Pouring everyone, including Walker, into the box for a 93rd-minute corner, referee Chris O’Donnell spotted a handball from Kedwell, awarding another penalty and showing the striker his second yellow card.

This time Bubb made no mistake, coolly dispatching the spot-kick to earn City a share of the spoils at the death.

City travel to 15th-placed Wealdstone this evening.

Oxford City: Walker, Bevans (McDonagh 84), Lapoujade, Arzamendi, Santiago, King, Isaac, Fleet, Roberts (Whichelow 60), Bubb, Lafuente (Benjamin 72). Subs not used: Henderson, Pifarre.

Attendance: 390.