Oxford United hit back from a goal down to earn a vital point from a 1-1 draw at Rushden & Diamonds and stay in the title hunt.

Substitute Sam Deering came off the bench and grabbed United’s equaliser just three minutes after his arrival on the pitch.

The draw, Oxford’s third in succession, lifts them above Luton and back into second place in the Blue Square Premier, five points behind Stevenage, who now face four very testing matches.

U’s boss Chris Wilder felt it was not a bad point, considering the quality of the oppositon.

Former United striker Craig Farrell had put Rushden in front from an inswinging free-kick that might just have gone in off the head of Rhys Day at the back post. But the referee credited the goal to Farrell.

“It was a difficult game for us,” Wilder said. “They were on a fantastic run and the lads showed great desire and character to come back from a poor goal from our point of view.

“I thought it was a decent game, two teams having a right go at it, competitive and not easy conditions to play in.

“We’ve got to go on, and make sure we win the next match, as we always say.

“I can’t fault my players’ desire or commitment. Possibly in the final third we lacked a bit of quality, because we got into some decent positions, but they’ve got some good players as well, so we always had to be on our guard.

“You go away to a play-off contender and get a point, and you’re delighted. We’re disappointed not to win, but there’s plenty of spirit and fight in there.

“There’s still a long way to go, it’s not going to be won until the last two or three games of the season.

“The nerves are jangling for everyone. But if you look at the fantastic support we’ve brought up here, we just need a bit of a break in front of goal and we’re off and running again.”