OXFORD Saints proved they are a force to be reckoned with, when they suffered an agonising 13-12 defeat away to Southern Conference Central Division 1 leaders Sussex Thunder.

It is the third time the teams have met this season and for a long time it looked as though the visitors might pull off a shock victory.

They led 6-0 and 12-6, before a relieved home side edged ahead only two minutes from time.

But for a couple of missed conversions, Saints could have been celebrating a notable triumph.

In their last meeting, Thunder took a 19-0 runaway lead before the end of the half but there was to be no repeat this time.

Saints, with James Walter playing at quarterback, more than held their own.

Early in the second half, Walter ran the ball in himself from the one-yard line for the first touchdown.

Saints went for a two- point conversion, as kicker Dean Fuller suffered a injury earlier on, but Rob Johnson could not get into the endzone.

Then a fumble put Sussex in good field position and Eber Kington ran the ball in for a one-yard score. Kicker Danny Wallace hit the left goal post, leaving the score tied at 6-6.

Oxford responded when Luke Fry ran up the middle for a four-yard score.

Again going for two points, Walter’s throw, intended for tight-end Sam Armstrong, was incomplete.

So the score remained at 12-6.

Late in the game, Thunder put together a sustained drive which ended with receiver Chris Evans going over for an eight-yard touchdown.

Andrew Stone kicked the crucial extra point, giving Sussex victory.