A cracking goal from 25 yards by Tom Winters earned Oxford City a point in a 2-2 draw at Histon.

Winters struck with eight minutes remaining to continue City’s improved run in Skrill North, which has seen them climb out of the relegation zone after a difficult start to the season.

After Mike Symons had gone close for the visitors early on, Histon took the lead with nine minutes on the clock.

Claudiu Hoban’s corner found Lewis Taaffe, who glanced a header wide of keeper Victor Francoz.

City had an effort ruled out for offside, but were level after 19 minutes when Symons headed on for Kayden Jackson to fire home his third goal in successive games.

The visitors were not ahead for long as Histon regained the lead after 28 minutes, Kaine Sheppard converting a cross from Hoban.

Declan Benjamin’s run ended with a shot that flew just wide as City, who lost Liam Malone to injury after 36 minutes, went in at the break 2-1 in arrears.

Callum McNish replaced the injured Lee Henderson for the second half and City were soon putting Histon under the cosh.

A cross from Winters found Symons, whose shot took a deflection for a corner.

At the other end, Hoban’s long-range strike drew an excellent stop from Francoz.

The City keeper almost blotted his copybook by spilling a shot from Taaffe, whose follow-up effort hit the foot of the post.

Jamie Cook came off the substitutes’ bench after 62 minutes and soon broke clear, only to see his shot blocked by the keeper.

City’s efforts got their just reward, however, with eight minutes left when Winters let fly with his late piledriver that gave the keeper no chance.

Oxford City: Francoz, Benjamin, Stonehouse, Malone (Pook 36), Henderson (McNish 45), Learoyd, Palmer (Cook 62), Pond, Symonds, Jackson, Winters. Subs not used: Robinson, Scott.

Referee: C Pollard.

Attendance: 200.