Tom Harrison’s first goal for City just before half-time had given the Hoops the lead, but the hosts levelled through Reece Beckles-Richards. 

Ross Jenkins made one change from the side that drew to Dartford on Tuesday night. Josh Parker returned to the starting line-up, replacing Alfie Potter. 

The game was a battle from the start. Both teams jostling for possession on a difficult playing surface. 

However, the first big chance of the game fell to the hosts on the half hour mark. Moreover, Cheshunt would’ve been wondering how they weren’t ahead! 

Mo Camara’s effort was parried onto the post by Ben Dudzinski but to Camara’s dismay, bounced along the line before being cleared away. 

Seven minutes later, Cheshunt’s game plan of seeking out target-man Camara at every opportunity almost paid off again. This time the striker beat Dudzinski to the ball and thought he’d poked the ball into the net. 

However, Harrison was alert to the danger and scrambled back to hook the ball away. A let off for City. 

Two minutes from half-time, the Hoops thought they had edged ahead when Cheshunt ‘keeper Desbois spilt Josh Parker’s header into the net. 

The ball looked like it crossed the line, but the officials didn’t see the same scenario as the rest of the 389 attendees and waved play on. 

Despite the ‘ghost goal’ the Hoops struck first a minute later. Tom Harrison grabbed his first goal of the season (and for City), rising highest to nod home Zac McEachran’s cross. 0-1. 

Half-Time: Cheshunt 0-1 Oxford City 

The hosts, fighting for their lives at the bottom of VNLS, we’re desperately looking for a way back into the game and they eventually did in the 63rd minute. 

Captain Beckles-Richards caught the City defence off guard and drove forward from midfield before hit hit a low drive past Dudzinski to level the scores. 

From then on in, it was a real slog for both sides. City struggled to get a foothold in the game and couldn’t play the passing style of play we’ve been so accustomed too. 

Cheshunt on the other hand were contributing to the contest themselves, chasing down every ball and causing City problems. However, they were reduced to long-shots from outside the box that never really caused the Hoops defence any problems. 

However, the hosts’ hearts were broken at the death! A superb pass from Reece Fleet landed at the feet of Williams-Bushell and after a clever touch to prod the ball into the box, accelerated into the box and smashed the ball into the net! 

A huge three points for City as they keep up with the chasing play-off pack but heartbreak for Cheshunt. The hosts’ players were on their knees after Williams-Bushell’s killer blow! 

City are back in action on Saturday as Dulwich Hamlet visit Oxfordshire (12:30 KO). A great chance for Jenkins’ side to string together back-to-back wins in the league for the first time since October. 

Oxford City Starting XI: Dudzinski, Ashby, Burley, Coyle, Fleet (C), McEachran (Muchechetere 69’), Lolos (Potter 61’), Parker, Harrison, Williams-Bushell, Carroll

Subs not used: Miccio, Rowan, Humphrey-Ewers