Marlon Jackson’s dramatic 88th-minute header kept Oxford City’s Vanarama Conference North play-off bid alive with yesterday’s 2-1 victory, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

The result saw them close the gap on fifth-placed Guiseley to four points with three games left.

Adi Yussuf put City in front, with his 25th league goal of the term, but Chris Churchman levelled on the stroke of half-time against the run of play, before Jackson’s late winner.

City dominated the firsthalf, but spurned chances.

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On 15 minutes, Lee Henderson headed against the bar.

Minutes later, Tom Winters was denied by goalkeeper Danny Hurst from Luke Coulson’s pass.

Shortly afterwards, Winters burst onto a glorious chip from Jeremy Balmy, but snatched at his shot with only the keeper to beat.

The breakthrough came on 38 minutes when Balmy seized on a missed clearance from Stephen O’Halloran and crossed for Winters, who touched the ball on for an unmarked Yussuf to fire the visitors ahead.

But with half-time looming they were hauled back level when Churchman fired into the bottom corner.

The hosts were brighter after the break with Jack Ryan and Scott Spencer going close for the hosts.

But just when a draw looked likely, the visitors struck the fatal blow.

Winters whipped in a dangerous curling cross and Jackson raced in to head home at the near post to keep City play-off hopes alive.

Oxford City: Salva, Coulson, Lapoujade, Del Alamo, Henderson (Stonehouse HT), Santiago, Jackson, Fofana, Yussuf, Balmy (Wilson 73), Winters (Barcelos 88). Subs not used: Scott, Benjamin.

Attendance: 2,388.