OXFORD City showed their fighting spirit yet again as they twice recovered from two goals down to beat Hemel Hempstead Town 5-3.

David Oldfield’s side went behind for the fourth time in five games, but struck three times in the final 17 minutes to return to fifth in Vanarama National League South.

JJ Lacey and BJ Christie scored in the first 60 seconds of each half, with Ryan Sellers and Pablo Martinez exchanging goals in between.

City were 3-1 down with just over half an hour left, but Reece Fleet’s strike, Harvey Bradbury’s quickfire double and Jacob Bancroft’s late finish secured victory.

David Oldfield named the same side that started the Buildbase FA Trophy victory over Haringey Borough on Saturday, although an injury to Louis Hall in the warm-up saw him replaced by Martinez.

City had barely touched the ball when Lacey put the hosts ahead and once again it took the visitors a while to get going.

Zac McEachran twice went close midway through the half, before Fleet and James Roberts also sent efforts wide.

It looked like it would be a long night for City when Sellers doubled the lead nine minutes before the break, but, like against Haringey, they pulled a goal back at the end of first-half normal time.

Fleet found Martinez and the Bristol Rovers loanee let rip with a firm effort that found the bottom corner.

City were again caught napping after kick-off when Christie restored the two-goal margin, with Oldfield throwing on Alfie Potter and Bancroft for Martinez and Lewis Coyle.

It took just two minutes for the changes to take effect, as the hosts failed to clear after Potter showed quick feet and Fleet found the top corner from outside the area.

Christie should have done better with a header that missed the target, but the City substitutes each set up a goal in the space of three minutes.

First, Bradbury slotted home from close range following good work from Bancroft, before the striker finished off Potter’s delightful cross.

City had 15 minutes to hold out, but took it upon themselves to make sure of victory.

Bancroft chased down and retrieved a loose ball, before rounding the goalkeeper and finding the net.