Oxford City battled their way to another valuable point this evening as they drew 0-0 with a Chester side who were top of the table at kick off.

Having run themselves to a standstill for a similar scoreless result at Scunthorpe on Saturday, City were again high on commitment and worked ferociously for their draw as they edge themselves ever closer to safety.

Once again City were without Josh Parker and Corie Andrews through injury with winger Jayden Carbon willingly covering every blade of artificial grass in an unfamiliar central role.

 Carbon and Chester forward Tom Peers exchanged shots in the early stages, both keepers dealing comfortably enough with their efforts, and Carbon’s pace was clearly unsettling the visiting defence. After 32 minutes he finally broke the shackles and raced clear only to drag his shot a foot wide of the left hand post as the keeper came to meet him. The best chance of  the entire game.

There were yellow cards for both sides as the temperature began to rise either side of the interval with the teams taking turns to kick Alfie Potter and Iwan Murray skywards and the pair adding to the fun by kicking each other once everyone else had had a go..

A red card was somehow avoided but in between all that a game of football broke out with the lively Peers firing into the side netting as Chester began to press for the first time around the hour mark.

The experience of Parker was needed with 20 minutes to go but Walker hadn't really had a shot to save as he kept his second clean sheet in a row and those in front of him had defended superbly all night.

A point, two new faces on the bench on loan from QPR, Parker back, Roddy back and togetherness throughout. Plenty of positives.

Now for the FA Trophy quarter final at home to Woking on Saturday. Can't wait.

CITY

Walker, Drewe, Carroll, Willcox, Coyle, Fleet, Ashby, Scott (Jones 90), Potter, Carbon (Parker 68), McEachran (Vaughan 89)

SUBS

Roddy, Putman

ATT:  588

Report by Chris Williams, pictures Darrell Fisher