A CONTROVERSIAL late red card and penalty denied Oxford City victory over Welling United, writes RYAN BRATLEY.

Lee Henderson was dismissed in the 78th minute for the hosts, with Bradley Goldberg converting the resulting spot-kick to cancel out Rob Sinclair’s debut goal on the stroke of half-time.

City dominated the first half, with Matt Paterson, Henderson and Zac McEachran going close.

They finally got the breakthrough their play deserved a minute before the break when Paterson lost control of the ball in the area, but Sinclair was on hand to turn a defender and fire into the bottom corner.

Welling dominated after the break, but could not beat the returning Jack Stevens in the City goal.

The Oxford United loanee made two good saves from Goldberg, diving to his right each time to push away powerful efforts.

City’s Eddie Jones saw a goal ruled out for offside before the game’s controversial moment.

Henderson and Jack Parkinson tangled off the ball with 11 minutes to go. Although seemingly unsighted, referee James Bell decided Henderson was the aggressor, showing a red card and awarding a penalty which Goldberg converted to level the game.

City face a trip to Chippenham Town this afternoon.

Oxford City: Stevens, Jones, Pearce, Navarro, Henderson, Oastler, Poku, Fleet, Paterson, McEachran, Sinclair (Forde 60 (Hirst 90))

Subs not used: Bennett, Ngathe.

Attendance: 252.