OXFORD City twice levelled in their Vanarama National League South clash at Havant & Waterlooville, but ultimately fell to a 3-2 defeat.

With goalkeeper Jack Stevens recalled by Oxford United, Luke Sanders took over between the sticks for Mark Jones’s side.

But one of his first jobs was to pick the ball out the back of net when former Portsmouth striker Matt Tubbs fired home on nine minutes.

Rob Sinclair came close to equalising a minute before the break, but his effort rolled just wide of a post.

Tubbs went even closer just after half-time, hitting a shot against an upright.

Two minutes later, however, City levelled when Godfrey Poku’s effort from 20 yards crept into the corner of the net.

But the parity was short-lived, Theo Lewis beating Sanders to the ball, his header going in off the underside of the bar on 54 minutes.

City, though, showed great spirit and drew level again when Zac McEachran was fouled in the box and Matt Paterson made no mistake from the penalty spot against his former side.

However they could not hold on, Tubbs firing home with 12 minutes remaining.

Reece Fleet was then sent off for City, before the visitors came inches away from a dramatic equaliser, a Freddie Grant cross in injury time just evading Ezra Forde at the far post as Havant held on for victory.

Oxford City: Sanders, Jones, Grant, Poku, Navarro (Stevens 88), Oastler, McEachran, Fleet, Paterson, Sinclair, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Forde 85). Subs not used: Pearce, Peake-Pijnen.

Two goals in two minutes helped condemn North Leigh to a 4-1 defeat at home to Yate Town in the West Division of the Evo-Stik South League.

After a goalless first half, the visitors took the lead three minutes into the second period when Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist blasted home from 20 yards.

And just two minutes later Ben Brooks scored to make it 2-0.

Ryan Paddock gave North Leigh hope when pulling a goal back.

But Leigh-Gilchrist scored his second of the night with 11 minutes remaining before Giancarlo Gabbiadini netted in final minute to cap a disappointing night for the Millers.