A 94^th minute equaliser from Zac McEachran extended Oxford City’s unbeaten run in Vanarama National League North as the Hoops drew 1-1 with Scarborough Athletic at Court Place Farm.

Will Thornton’s second minute header put City on the back foot for the entirety of the match, until virtually the last kick of the game, when the Hoops snatched a late goal to level.

The contest got off to the worst possible start as Scarborough took the lead from the first corner of the game after just over a minute.

Will Thornton evaded detection inside the box and provided a simple header into the corner of the net to give the away side the lead.

City had to deal with the slow start as Scarborough started to manage the game from the first minute. Freeflowing football was hard to come by against the stubborn Seadogs, but when City could string their passing moves together in the final third, chances followed.

Tom Scott burst through on goal after latching onto Aaron Drewe’s lofted past, but he could only find the side netting. Josh Ashby also saw a shot blocked after superb work from McEachran to keep him out.

McEachran continued to shine, and he came close ten minutes before the break. Again he twisted and turned to burst through the backline but his shot was well blocked by the resolute Scarborough backline.

The game wasn’t a classic, and at every opportunity the visitor’s took the sting out of the match.

The introduction of Corie Andrews improved things for the Hoops after the break. The striker was alert to his surroundings to break through on goal, but after twisting & turning to beat two defenders and set up a 1v1 chance, he slipped when the goal was gaping. Agonisingly close to an equaliser.

City continued to knock on the door as they, but Scarborough remained steadfast. The visitors’ threat was reduced to a number of set-piece opportunities, but they asked questions of City ‘keeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle who had to make a number of saves to keep the score at one.

As the clock ticked on, Andrews continued to probe, and he came close again. Again, he skipped past the backline but he couldn’t find the corner of the net from a tight angle.

Ross Jenkins introduced Alfie Potter and Lewis Coyle to the contest as his side continued to throw the kitchen sink at Athletic, but that was matched by the away sides’ willingness to drop back and soak up the pressure.

Scarborough should’ve put the game beyond doubt with two minutes to go. Dom Tear had the simplest of finishes inside the box after Brown had disposed Jones on the byline, but with the chance harder to miss, he fluffed his lines and fired wide.

As the fourth official indicated four minutes of added time, City continued to throw the kitchen sink at Scarborough and with virtually the last kick of the game, they deservedly levelled.

A goal line scramble after a corner ensued, and McEachran found himself in the right place at the right time to turn, shoot and send Court Place Farm into delirium.

It’s a single point, yes. However, it’ll feel like a win after 94 minutes of grit and determination.

Next up, a break from league action as we take on Sporting Khalsa in the Isuzu FA Trophy.

Attendance: 604

Oxford City Starting XI: McKenzie-Lyle, Burley, Ashby, Jones, Fleet, McEachran, Parker, Scott (Andrews 60’), Carbon (Potter 82’), Roddy (Coyle 79’), Drewe

Subs not used: Walsh, Croker

Scarborough Starting XI: Whitley, Weledj, Thornton, Purver, Green (Mulhern 93'), Colville, Wiles, Tear, Brown, Maltby, Bennett

Subs not used: Glynn, Bancroft, King, Wilson