SCOTT Davies was sent off as Oxford City were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at home to struggling Weston-Super-Mare in Vanarama National League South.

The City captain was given his marching orders in stoppage time for a reckless challenge on the visitors’ Jamie Laird, providing the only significant incident of a stale second half.

A first clean sheet of the season was little consolation for City as they let the visitors — coming into the game on an 11-match losing streak — off the hook after failing to convert a host of chances.

City’s hopes of securing back-to-back wins for the first time this season were dealt a significant blow before the match had even begun, as striker Mike Fondop and midfielder Godfrey Poku were caught in a traffic accident on their way to the ground.

Fortunately, neither was hurt, but general manager Justin Merritt was forced to shuffle his starting line-up as the shaken pair dropped to the bench.

But despite the setback City started strongly, almost taking the lead after just two minutes when Jonny Giles picked out the unmarked James Roberts at the back post, whose powerful header was tipped around the post by goalkeeper Luke Purnell.

Giles himself was next to be denied, first seeing his low strike saved before the well-placed Jon Moran cleared his follow-up attempt off the line.

Purnell again thwarted Roberts on the half-hour mark, getting down well to keep out his low drive, with the rebound tantalisingly just beyond the reach of the lurking Jefferson Louis.

Louis, making his home debut for City, turned provider for Roberts early in the second half with a glorious through ball to set the Oxford United loanee free.

But he was unable to take advantage and when he eventually got a shot away it was blocked as another golden opportunity went begging.

After failing to convert their pressure into goals, City seemed to run out of steam in the latter stages.

Only the intervention of Freddie Grant on the goalline kept Moran’s low shot from putting the visitors ahead against the run of play in the 65th minute.

And the frustration clearly got to Davies in the closing moments as he needlessly lunged at Laird, ensuring the match would end on a sour note as the two benches clashed over the resulting red card.

Oxford City: Stevens, Ngathe, Grant, Ashby (Winters 67), Henderson, Cundy, Fleet, Davies, Roberts (Fondop 67), Louis, Giles. Subs not used: Ofosu, Poku, Isaac.

Attendance: 272.