Josh Ashby’s 90+7th minute penalty secured Oxford City a huge three points in Vanarama National League North as the Hoops came from behind to beat South Shields 2-1 at the 1st Cloud Arena. 

A difficult first-half saw the Mariners take a 1-0 lead into the break as Paul Blackett tapped in a rebounded shot. 

City rallied after the break and after Tom Broadbent was sent off for bringing down Josh Parker as the last man just two minutes after the re-start.

From the resulting free-kick, City won a corner and made their advantage count straight away when Andre Burley got the slightest of touches to deflect Lewis Coyle’s corner into the net. 

However, the game will be remembered for a chaotic last ten minutes where City won two penalties. 

For the first, McEachran was tripped in the box, but Josh Parker saw his spot kick saved.

City weren’t to be denied though, as Corie Andrews broke past the Shields' backline deep into added time and was hauled down by Mariners' 'keeper Kyle Seymour

Josh Ashby made no mistake this time, sending Seymour the wrong way to send the small contingent of travelling Hoops into delirium. 

Ross Jenkins had no option but to tinker his squad. It was a makeshift City side that took to the pitch. Chi Ezennolim and Aaron Drewe were a centre-half pairing with Tom Scott stepping into midfield. 

There was also a welcome return for Corie Andrews on the bench. 

The first-half was a scrappy affair on a difficult surface, but it was the hosts that managed it the better of the sides. 

They took the lead through talismanic striker Paul Blackett on seventeen minutes when he poked home Dylan Stephenson’s shot after Laurie Walker superbly denied the winger. 

City had to keep their heads above water in the first half, with Walker making a number of saves to keep the Hoops in it. 

They could’ve levelled when Zac McEachran wiggled in on goal. However, with the angle open for a shot, the midfielder opted to be unselfish and pass but the move broke down. 

Half-Time: South Shields 1-0 Oxford City 

The game was turned on just head two minutes into the second-half when the hosts were reduced to ten men. 

Parker burst past the backline and Broadbent pulled the striker down before he could rush in on goal.

The referee had no option but to brandish the red card, and for once, the Hoops had the rub of the green with a major decision going their way. 

Moreover, The Hoops made the advantage count. From the resulting free-kick, a rejuvenated side won a corner. Coyle whipped in the delivery, and Andre Burley got the slightest of touches to guide the ball into the net. 1-1. 

To be fair to the hosts, they gave as good as they got and the game continued as if it was still 11v11. 

Blackett continued to be the danger man, but he was consigned to long range efforts that rarely troubled Walker. 

Parker had the ball back in the net too, but the linesman’s flag denied him any celebrations just as Ross Jenkins' side thought they'd edged ahead.  

The game dragged on, but there was always a sense that there was another goal to come in the game.

The key moment came five minutes from time when City were given a golden opportunity to snatch all three points.

McEachran again proved too much for his marker and was tripped on the edge of the box. Penalty City. 

However, City’s terrible penalty record continued as Seymour guessed right, and saved Parker’s penalty as he dived to his right.

South Shields were buoyed by that and pressed for a winner and the last few minutes descended into an agonising watch from a Hoops perspective.

Nevertheless, the deciding action came five minutes into added time. 

A corner was defended well by the Hoops and City broke.

Substitute Andrews used a quick set of heels to outpace the backline and bear down on goal. 

Just as everyone inside the 1st Cloud Arena expected a shot, he cut round Seymour. But, before he could tap into an empty net, he was brought down. A second City penalty. Stonewall.

This time it was Ashby to take, but the outcome was different.

The stand-in captain banished City’s penalty hoodoo to send the ‘keeper the wrong way and steal all three points for City. 

Pandemonium in the away end and on the pitch as City battled hard to come away with a much needed three points. 

A nervy couple of minutes continued but City weren't giving away the three points they desperately fought for. 

Was it the prettiest, no? But do we care? Absolutely not! 

It’s three points (and a three huge ones at that).

 Next up, another huge clash on Saturday as we take on Warrington Town on Saturday (3pm). 

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Oxford City Starting XI: Walker, Burley, Ezennolim, Ashby, Coyle, McEachran, Parker, Scott, Carbon, Roddy (Andrews 71'), Drewe.

Subs not used: Vaughan, Potter, Croker, Putman