Oxford City 2
(Skendi 89, Benjamin 90+4)
Worcester City 2
(Symonds 54, Thorley 90+1)

Substitute Declan Benjamin was Oxford City’s hero with a last-gasp equaliser as their Blue Square Bet North clash with Worcester City at Court Place Farm yesterday burst into life with three goals at the death.

City were trailing to Mike Symonds’s 54th-minute strike going into the dying minutes when substitute Albi Skendi, making his first appearance of the season, levelled following a goalmouth scramble.

But a minute into time added on, Worcester regained the lead as Tom Thorley scored direct from a free-kick.

It looked odds on that City would suffer their second defeat, but four minutes into stoppage time Benjamin raced past the Worcester defence to slam home the equaliser for a point, which sees City move up to sixth in the table.

A competitive encounter had begun with play being shared evenly.

Worcester fired in several long-range efforts, which were dealt with comfortably by Warren Carter.

Felipe Barcelos got himself into a good position for City, but his shot failed to trouble keeper Glyn Thompson.

Danny Glover’s free-kick went straight into the arms of Carter, who then saved from Tom Thorley.

Greg Mills sent a free-kick wide of the mark for Worcester, while at the other end Kynan Isaac fired off target from a Jack Mills’ cross.

There was stilll little to choose between the sides, but City should have taken the lead with Isaac, Nabil Sharif and Andy Gunn, with a header, missing good chances.

And it was Worcester who opened the scoring when a swift break by Symonds saw him go on to score from close range.

Glover then screwed a decent chance to double their advantage wide, before the match came to its dramatic conclusion.

Oxford City: Carter, Pond (Benjamin 77), Gunn, Malone (Ballard 68), Willmott, Mills, Sharif, Isaac, Barcelos (Skendi 62), Cook, Stonehouse. Subs not used: Martin, Learoyd.

Referee: R Kendall (Luton).

Attendance: 365.