KABONGO Tshimanga equalised nine minutes from time to salvage Oxford City a point in a 1-1 draw at Weston-super-Mare.

The striker swept home late on to deny the lively hosts their first win in Vanarama National League South.

But the point stretches City’s unbeaten run to three games in an encouraging start to the campaign.

Boss Mark Jones handed new signing Carl Stewart a starting role, while fellow new face Mike Atkinson was named among the substitutes.

It provided a welcome boost, with Rob Sinclair and Josh Ashby sidelined through injury.

Both sides started well and the hosts created the first chance of the game on seven minutes.

After clearing a City corner, Weston countered and George Nurse set up Gethyn Hill, who saw his effort deflect wide.

The visitors’ first shot on target came nine minutes later, but it was a purely speculative effort from Matt Paterson, who fired straight at Luke Purnell from a tight angle after latching on to a through ball.

Weston looked more dangerous, with Hill heading over, before City goalkeeper Craig King saved a rasping effort from Jarrad Welch.

The latter was involved in the home side’s next opportunity on 30 minutes, but this time he was denied by Ben Jefford’s block.

With the exception of a wild effort from Welch, the final 15 minutes of the half were played without either side creating a sight of goal.

City, in particular struggled in the final third, and the second half started in the same vein as Jamie Lucas blazed well over for the hosts and Matthew Bower headed wide.

The match looked destined to finish goalless, only for Weston to spark the contest into life on 72 minutes.

Welch received the ball on the edge of the area and fired across King to put the hosts in front.

But it did not take City long to find an equaliser and it arrived in bizarre fashion.

Zac McEachran drove past three defenders and forced a terrific save from Purnell.

The resulting corner failed to beat the first man, but Jacob Cane slice his attempted clearance into danger and Tshimanga was on hand to sweep home the loose ball.

City were able to see out the game for a point and will look to build on their good run when they host Wealdstone today.

Oxford City: King, Jones, Jefford (Fasanmade 79), Stewart (Atkinson 85), Godwin-Malife (Ruddick 72), Oastler, McEachran, Fleet, Paterson, Tshimanga, Wiltshire.