Joe Iaciofano’s goal secured the point for the Hoops but Ben Dudzinski saved a penalty in the second half to keep City in the game.

Ross Jenkins made one change to the team that drew with Braintree on Tuesday. Latrell Humphrey-Ewers replaced Klaidi Lolos.

Eastbourne dominated the first-half and went ahead after just nine minutes. Chris Whelpdale reacted quickest to a header that crashed off the post and followed in the rebound to put the hosts ahead.

Borough continued to test City and Ross Jenkins’ side were lucky not to be two goals down. Charlie Walker dispossessed Ben Dudzinski and had an open goal to fire into but he couldn’t keep his balance and fired wide. Let off.

City did eventually show signs of coming back into the game through Josh Parker. Josh Ashby picked out the striker inside the box before Parker fizzed a shot just wide and moments later he curled an effort onto the post.

However, despite working their way back into the game, Eastbourne almost scored again. Leon Gravata picked Andre Burley’s pocket and looked destined to score from inside the box. However, the City defender recovered well and got the slightest touch on the midfielder’s effort to deflect it wide.

Half-Time: Eastbourne Borough 1-0 Oxford City

In the second-half, City were a different animal. They tested the hosts when Canice Carroll almost spectacularly sent a overhead kick into the net but he couldn’t twist his body enough to get any power on the shot.

However, against the run of play, Eastbourne were handed a penalty when a tangle of legs left the referee with no choice but to give a penalty.

Nevertheless, Ben Dudzinski heroically guessed right and got a strong palm to Shiloh Remy’s penalty to parry it wide and keep City in the game.

Moments later, City were level. Aaron Williams-Bushell sent a whipped cross to the back post and there was Joe Iaciofano with all the time and space to tap home.

From then on, it was anyone’s game. City continued to pile on the pressure but couldn’t find a way past the Borough defence. Lee Worgan in the Eastbourne net was equal to efforts from Reece Fleet and Josh Parker to keep the score level.

City even had the ball in the net again through Iaciofano but there was to be no winner as the linesman’s flag overruled the striker in a close call.

All in all, another solid point for City on the road. The Hoops stay seventh in Vanarama National League South with Chippenham Town next up at the RAW Charging Stadium.

Oxford City Starting XI: Dudzinski, Ashby, Burley, Coyle, Fleet ©, McEachran, Parker, Harrison, Williams-Bushell, Carroll, Humphrey-Ewers (Iaciofano 58’).



Subs not used: Miccio, Rowan, Fischer,   Lolos