Paul Wanless scored at the right end this time - but Oxford United couldn't hold on and conceded a late equaliser to promotion-chasing Macclesfield at the Kassam Stadium last night.

There were just three minutes left when John Miles hammered a low drive from outside the box past Chris Tardif to bring the Silkmen a draw.

But this was another game Oxford should have won.

It was an own goal by Wanless which had contributed to such a wretched second half at Shrewsbury, although the stand-in centre half otherwise had a fine game.

This time he had fortune on his side. When Lee Bradbury sent over a free-kick from the left, Wanless's header came off a defender's head and dropped invitingly for him to smash into the goal from six yards.

Bradbury had elected for Oxford to attack the Oxford Mail Stand end in the first half for a change, after winning the toss, doubtless with the hope of drawing first blood.

But few home fans expected it to come this early.

In their previous home match, United had made the worst possible opening against Leyton Orient, but this time it was a dream start with Wanless netting inside three minutes.

Only a series of good saves by Town keeper Steve Wilson prevented United establishing a bigger interval lead.

Playing well after their goal, they put together some incisive attacks.

A Tommy Mooney volley from Chris Hackett's knockdown was deflected for a corner.

And, after a swift break by Hackett, Mooney crossed for Steve Basham to try his luck on the volley, and similarly it was deflected wide.

Mooney showed superb close control to wriggle his way past the two Macclesfield centre backs but, just as it seemed he would score a glorious goal, Wilson flung out an arm to save his low, close-range shot.

The Silkmen too had chances before the break.

Matthew Tipton demonstrated quick feet to rifle in a left-footed shot which Tardif saved to his left, with some difficulty.

And Kevin McIntyre's 20-yard shot deflected off Tipton, but went straight into Tardif's arms.

The visitors' best opening finished with Graham Potter outjumping Dave Mackay at the far post, but he nodded Danny Swailes's cross over.

At the back, Wanless was a massive figure and the return of Mateo Corbo to his left certainly strengthened the back four.

With Macclesfield pushing players forward to try to get back on level terms, United looked dangerous on the break in the second half as they counter-attacked with pace.

Substitute Juan Pablo Raponi beat three players on a great run soon after coming on, but Wilson saved his 20-yard right-footed drive high above his head.

Raponi then tried an impudent chip from the edge of the box which Wilson tipped onto the bar.

Macclesfield looked a shadow of the team they are when striker Jon Parkin plays. He was completing a three-match ban.

Yet Tardif still needed to pull off a brilliant reaction save to preserve the U's lead.

The ball ricocheted off Barry Quinn and was heading towards the top corner, but the keeper clawed it away.

However, the U's were tiring and they gave away a sloppy equaliser three minutes from time.

They couldn't clear a right-wing cross from Danny Whitaker and midfielder Miles hammered a low drive past Tardif's right hand from 20 yards.