Goals from Jalen Jones and Jayden Carbon saw Oxford City pick up an impressive point away at Southport in Vanarama National League. 

A tightly-fought first-half ended goalless before the match sprung to life after the interval. 

Jalen Jones put City ahead ten minutes after the re-start, before the team were made to rue missed opportunities as the hosts went ahead through Danny Lloyd & Will Russ goals. 

Jayden Carbon levelled the scores late with his first touch of the game to make sure City left with something for their troubles. 

Things weren’t helped before the game, as the Oxford City team coach was caught out by a major accident on the M6. 

The team arrived just 40 minutes before kick-off and had to suffice with an 18 minute warm-up with kick-off staying put at 3pm. 

After arriving at the stadium though, Ross Jenkins made a number of changes going into the game. Reece Fleet, Jalen Jones and Freddy Willcox were all introduced back into the starting XI. 

Despite a long journey on the coach, City shrugged off any rustiness and started the brighter of the two teams in a cagey first-half, but in honesty, there isn’t much to write home about. 

The closest anyone came to scoring was when Josh Parker’s snapshot was easily saved by Southport ‘keeper Chris Renshaw, moments after Laurie Walker was alert to clear a pass that almost fell to the feet of Russ after a poor back pass.

However, Phil Croker continued to impress at centre-half and Freddy Willcox seamlessly slotted back into the backline.

The second-half was much more like it, though. 

Moreover, City edged ahead after cutting through the host’s defence. 

Neat link-up play down the left-wing allowed Josh Ashby to spin his man and whip a pin-point cross to the back post. 

Centre-half Jalen Jones had stayed in attack after a previous long-throw, and you’d have forgiven neutrals for thinking he was a striker with his precise finish from inches out from goal. 

The Hoops should’ve doubled their lead too. Zac McEachran capitalised on a loose pass to maraud forward, but his shot was well held by Renshaw when 1v1 with the ‘keeper. 

They were made to rue that missed opportunity too, as Southport levelled with their resulting counter-attack. 

Laurie Walker’s clearance landed at the feet of Lloyd, and with the City shot-stopper still grounded, Lloyd remained composed to prod in a leveller. 

Southport’s second was like de ja vu. Again McEachran was gifted a chance and ran in on goal, but this time he drilled a fierce shot wide of the post. 

Again though, the host’s countered and this time Russ somehow squeezed the ball under a crowd of players to put Southport ahead after Sonny Hilton wiggled through the box. 

The game had come to life, and City weren’t leaving without a fight. 

The introduction of Jayden Carbon added pace into City’s attack, and the Hoops’ academy graduate turned the game on its head again with his first touch of the game. 

A long throw-in from Drewe wasn’t dealt with and Carbon was mr Johnny on the spot to curl a shot into the corner of the net inside a crowded area fifteen minutes from the end. 

Then an end-to-end contest ensued and either side could’ve nicked it. 

Walker had to be at his best in added time to deny a stinging Sam Minihan shot from finding the net, parrying over the crossbar to keep the scoreline at 2-2. 

In the end though, both teams were made to settle for a point. 

City reach the magic 50 point mark, and their relegation troubles mere days ago seem a world away now.

Now, attentions turn to a big match on Saturday as play-off chasing Hereford visit the MGroup Stadium. 

Attendance: 789

Oxford City Starting XI: Walker, Ashby, Jones, Coyle, Fleet, McEachran, Parker, Scott (Carbon 74'), Willcox, Croker, Drewe

Subs Not Used: Ezennolim, Potter, Roddy, Putman