HORATIO Hirst scored against his parent club as Oxford City beat Sheffield United’s under 23 side 4-3 in an entertaining pre-season friendly at Court Place Farm.

The fixture was set up as a result of the teenage striker’s move from City to Bramall Lane last December, but he has since been loaned back to Mark Jones’s side.

David Pearce, Eddie Jones and Zac McEachran were also on target as the hosts bounced back from their 1-0 midweek defeat at Didcot Town.

Mark Jones had called for his side to make improvements in both boxes in the wake of the trip to Loop Meadow, but they fell behind in the tenth minute.

Young forward Jake Wright was brought down in the box and although Craig Hill blocked Jordan Hallam’s penalty, he converted on the rebound.

But within three minutes City levelled, when Pearce smashed in McEachran’s cross for his first goal since joining this summer.

It remained 1-1 until ten minutes after half-time, when the Blades again went ahead from the penalty spot – Hallam this time finding the net at the first attempt.

Once again City’s response was swift, Eddie Jones getting off the mark for the club with a terrific finish from outside the box.

Hirst’s efforts were rewarded with a goal against his United teammates midway through the half after turning sharply in the box.

McEachran made it 4-2 in the 90th minute, cutting in from the left to fire into the net.

His goal turned out to be crucial, as the visitors promptly went up the other end to pull a goal back just before the final whistle.

Oxford City Nomads were also involved in a seven-goal friendly, going down 4-3 at Colliers Wood United for their first defeat in pre-season.

City’s first team are in action again at home tonight, when they host an Armed Forces XI (7.45).