OXFORD City were forced to settle for a point at home to struggling Hayes & Yeading United after coming back from two goals down.

It could have been much worse for City after falling behind to a Jose Lapoujade own goal and an Elliott Benyon header in the Vanarama National League South clash.

But goals from Lapoujade and top-scorer Bradley Bubb after the break saved a point for the hosts.

However, the result leaves Justin Merritt's side with an uphill task to make the last play-off place.

City started brightly, with the lively Marlon Jackson causing problems.

He found an unmarked Julen Lafuente in front of goal on three minutes, but the Spaniard somehow scuffed his effort over from just six yards with the goal gaping.

Four minutes later, Jackson’s thunderous strike from outside the area forced a strong save from goalkeeper James Hamon.

City soon had the ball in the net when Lafuente nutmegged the keeper following a winding run from Kynan Isaac, but it was chalked off for offside.

And after absorbing the pressure, the visitors capitalised just after half-hour.

Benyon’s effort was saved by goalkeeper Laurie Walker, but the attacker played the loose ball back across goal, where it was turned in by the unfortunate Lapoujade.

Matters got worse for City just two minutes later when Benyon nodded in the second.

It took the hosts less than a minute after the break to find the net.

Lapoujade netted at the correct end, heading home Darren Pond’s free-kick.

Bubb then levelled on 57 minutes with a well struck low drive from just inside the area after Lafuente had pulled the ball back from the bye line.

After that it appeared there would be just one winner, but City were unable to convert their chances.

Bubb saw an effort deflected narrowly wide in the 68th minute and moments later Jackson cleared both keeper and the bar with an audacious effort.

But The best chance fell to Isaac, who was unmarked and set to tap in Bubb’s square ball across goal only for it to strike a bobble in the Marsh Lane turf which lifted it away from his foot.

Bubb and Jackson had further chances to win it in stoppage time, but saw their efforts blocked as Hayes clung on for a point.

Oxford City: Walker, Bevans, Stonehouse, Fleet, Arzamendi, Lapoujade, Jackson, Pond, Bubb, Lafuente (Hunte 78), Isaac (Peake-Pijen 88). Subs not used: Henderson, Santiago, Pifarré.

Attendance: 235.