Nana Owusu's first goal of the season put City ahead at the interval before Josh Ashby was controversially issued a straight red card after his well-timed challenge was deemed to be too high by the referee. Adam Morgan's 91st minute header went on to even the scores at the death.

Chelmsford began the tight affair the brighter of the two sides. Cameron James' timid shot was directed past the left-hand side of Ben Dudzinski’s net after the Hoops failed to clear their lines.

Dudzinski was later tested by a 30-yard curling shot from Chelmsford captain Tom Wraight. His effort seemed destined to find the top corner but it  was matched by an outstanding  fingertip save by the Hoops number 1 to keep the match level.

Despite chances from the Clarets, Oxford City broke the deadlock in the 20^th minute. Quick feet from Zac McEachran on the left wing kept the ball alive, and he played a teasing ball to the feet of Joe Iaciofano whose deflected shot fell kindly for Nana Owusu. Owusu made no mistake and planted the ball under Clarets Goalkeeper Jacob Marsden to make it 1-0. 

The Hoops gained momentum following the goal and a one-two between Iaciofano and George Harmon allowed the striker to pull the trigger at the edge of Chelmsford’s box, but the shot fell wide of Marsden’s goal.

With just over half an hour gone, Dudzinksi was called back into action. A Wraight free-kick curled round the wall which Dudzinski again kept out.

Right before half time, Dudzinski was called into action again. His instinctive reaction save kept the score at 1-0 but was followed by a powerful strike by Dara Dada. A hectic goal-line scramble followed before the Hoops number one dived on the ball to stop the attack.

Half-time: Oxford City 1-0 Chelmsford City

Oxford City began the second-half strongly with Owusu's 25 yard effort testing the Chelmsford defence straight after the whistle.

Ashby applied more pressure to The Clarets back four with a driving run towards the byline but Iaciofano's effort was well stopped by Clarets stopper Marsden.

The tide had turned and Elliot Benyon almost doubled City's lead, almost heading in a cross from Ashby but once again Marsden was equal to the effort and kept the away side in the game.

However, with ten minutes to go there was a hammer blow for David Oldfield's side when Ashby was given his marching orders. The midfielder's challenge won the ball back in the centre of the pitch, however the referee had the opposite opinion and showed City's number 4 a straight red card.

From then on, Chelmsford had the extra man and the momentum and it paid off in the 90th minute.

Cameron James’ lofted ball to the back post was met by the head of substitute Adam Morgan, who nodded home to steal 3 points from the Hoops.

A cruel way to end the game. However, City maintain their unbeaten run and move up to 2nd place in the Vanarama National League South.

Ben Dudzinski, Zico Asare, George Harmon, Josh Ashby, Dan Matsuzaka, Reece Fleet, Elliott Benyon (Bradbury 68), Zach McEachran, Nana Owusu (Coyle, 76), Joe Iaciofano (78 – Bancroft), Jack Davies

Subs: Charlie Rowan, Lewis Coyle, Jacob Bancroft, Harvey Bradbury, Harry Kyprianou