Oxford City were denied their first Skrill North win of the season after letting slip a 3-0 lead at ten-man Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday, writes Matthew Bruce.

Bradford had Adam Clayton sent off as City bossed the first half, but the hosts hit back after the break to snatch a point with Nicky Boshell, Alex Davidson and Steve Mallory on target to leave City shell-shocked.

That came after the visitors, who gave Saul Williams his debut after signing on loan from Forest Green , raced into a seemingly unassailable lead with goals from Mike Symons, Tom Winters and Jamie Cook.

Symons opened the scoring as City expertly turned defence into attack. Winters broke quickly down the left wing before picking out Symons to nod in at the near post.

Scorer then turned provider for the second, Symons exploiting a gap down the opposite flank before crossing for Winters to tap in.

Matters soon got worse for the undisciplined hosts as Clayton lunged into a challenge with Darren Pond and was shown the red card, leaving his side to play the next hour with ten men.

And it looked all over when City added a third before the half, Winters again beating his man and finding the head of Cook who made no mistake.

But if the first half belonged to City, it was the home side who controlled the second.

Boshell headed Bradford back into the match barely five minutes after the restart as City attempted to hang onto their lead.

And Bradford pulled another goal back minutes later as City missed two chances to clear before it fell to Davidson, who blasted home.

The hosts laid siege to the City defence for the remainder of the half, but Mike Ford’s side appeared to have seen out the danger as the game went into stoppage time.

However, debutant Mallory had other ideas, rising highest to head in and send City home with just a point.

Oxford City: Scott, Clifton (Benjamin 54), Stonehouse, McNish, Learoyd, Wilmott, Williams, Pond, Symons (Basham 65), Cook (Malone 54), Winters. Subs not used: Maabdi, Francoz. Referee: Neil Sharp Attendance: 302.