Potter had given City the lead in the 82nd minute before Havant substitute Mo Faal equalised just seconds after the re-start.

It was an energetic start from both teams with the first chance coming from Havant and Waterlooville just under five minutes.

The ball was swung into the box from Josh Passley to find former Hoop, James Roberts. He met the ball perfectly with his head, however he powered it wide, just past the post.

The Hawks continued to apply the pressure in the early stages, desperate to get the first goal in the match. The match was a must win for them to stand a good chance in qualifying for the play-offs.

City’s best chance of the half fell to an unexpected source! Josh Ashby floated a free-kick to unmarked Canice Carroll at the back post. He had the freedom of the penalty area to bring the ball down and fire towards goal but on-loan Chelsea Goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe’s box.

The Hoops were really starting to pick up the pace and controlling the tempo of the game. Sharman-Lowe was called into action again, and had to react quickly from Andre Burley’s snapshot on the edge of the six-yard box, to keep the ball out of the net.

Half time: Oxford City 0-0 Havant and Waterlooville

After an injury to Klaidi Lolos, Josh Parker made his return to action after a spell on the sidelines, and it was the striker who had the first chance of the half, glancing a header over the crossbar.

City did manage to put the ball in the back of the net from a Carroll header. However, Carroll was adjudged to have fouled the Havant goalkeeper, rather than winning the ball so the goal didn’t stand.

The collision meant that there was a hefty chunk of the half with no action as Carroll received treatment but thankfully, the centre-half was fine to carry on in the match, albeit with a newly acquired headband!

Next it was Havant’s turn to go for goal. Substitute Danny Wright, rattled the crossbar from just outside the box to the relief of the City defence.

The game started to open up and City continued to push for an opener. Aaron Williams-Bushell, making his fiftieth appearance for the Hoops, dragged an effort wide of the post.

However, the Hoops weren’t to be denied. Another player making their 50^th appearance for City, Alfie Potter, latched onto an inch-perfect ball from Zac McEachran and kept his composure to steer home from inside the box.

Although, it was to be short-lived during a minute of madness. The Hawks came straight out of the traps from kick off as they equalised just seconds later.

Out of nowhere, Mo Faal took aim from range and produced a wonder strike to fly into the net bringing City crashing back down to earth.

Havant and Waterlooville were starting to gain confidence again and they started to search for a winner. Chris Haigh made a superb save to deny Faal a second goal, and moments later Jack Davies made an even better block, to deny James Roberts a certain goal.

All in all, the point was a fair result and after results elsewhere, City go into the season finale knowing that a win would secure a top three finish.

Attendance: 814

Oxford City Starting XI: Haigh, Davies, Ashby, Burley, Coyle, Fleet, McEachran, Lolos (Parker

44’), Williams-Bushell (Wilson 99), Carroll, Humphrey-Ewers (Potter 76’)

Subs not used: Miccio, Iaciofano,