Barrow 2

Oxford City 2

Oxford City twice led away to Vanarama Conference North leaders Barrow on Saturday, but had to settle for a point as the hosts battled back for a draw.

Lee Henderson headed City into the lead and Marlon Jackson put them in front for a second time after the break.

But Barrow replied through Andy Cook and Simon Grand.

City went ahead in the ninth minute when Henderson rose to head in a corner at the back post.

They nearly doubled their ad - vantage when Jackson and Adi Yussuf created an opening for Declan Benjamin, but he could not beat keeper Aaran Taylor.

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And the hosts soon levelled, Cook springing the offside trap before finishing coolly.

City continued to ask all the se - rious questions, with Luke Coul - son almost restoring the lead in incredible fashion, launching a 40-yard effort onto the roof of the net after spotting the keeper off his line.

Jackson also went close with a fabulous solo effort, picking the ball up on the halfway line be - fore running at the defence and stinging Taylor’s hands.

Right on the stroke of half- time, Cook had the chance to put Barrow in front, only for City stopper Salva de la Cruz to somehow stretch out an arm and bat the ball out from under his feet.

City nudged themselves back in front after an hour.

Tom Winters broke quickly down the left wing and defender Niall Cowperthwaite was slow to react to the resulting cross, al - lowing Jackson to nip in ahead of him and turn it in.

The same player had a glorious opportunity to put City firmly in command just moments lat - er, but with the goal gaping he skewed his shot horribly wide.

Barrow’s second equaliser came ten minutes later, Danny Livesey heading a corner back across goal for captain Grand to prod home.

This marked a spell of domi - nance for the home side, but they couldn’t score the winner.

Oxford City: Salva, Coulson, Stonehouse, Del Alamo, Lapoujade, Henderson, Jackson, Fofana (Murombedzi 83), Yussuf, Benjamin (Wilson 72), Winters (Barcelos 76). Subs not used: Rodriguez, Scott.

Attendance: 1,401.