Oxford City 1

(Steele 44)

Truro City 1

(Martin pen 45+1)

Oxford City moved out of the Zamaretto Southern League Premier Division relegation zone for the first time this season after holding leaders Truro City at Court Place Farm on Saturday.

But Mike Ford’s men can count themselves slightly unfortunate not to have claimed victory after a gritty display.

City are the league’s draw specialists – this being the seventh time that honours have been even at home this season, the most in the league.

It was their tenth league draw of the season – also the joint most.

The hosts started strongly, Truro defender Aaron Pugh heading over his own bar from Jack Ashton’s cross.

Visiting keeper Martin Rice then saved a shot at the foot of a post from Ashley Kington.

Truro’s Andrew Taylor saw one free-kick scrape the top of City’s bar, but Ford’s side were more than matching their opponents, belittling their league position.

As the first half started to draw to a close, the game sprang into life.

A Truro free-kick in the 44th minute was charged down by the City defence, the ball ricocheting to Michael Lyon.

Lyon sprinted down the left, unchallenged, before passing inside to Lee Steele, who advanced a few yards before unleashing a shot into the back of the net.

The fine strike should have been enough to see City take a half-time lead, but Truro equalised in first-half stoppage time.

Craig McIlwain brought down Andrew Watkins in the area, and Marcus Martin put the penalty.

In the second period, Truro were on the back foot for the majority of the half.

Successive efforts from Liam Malone, whose strike was blocked on the line by Steve Adams, and Steele, whose effort from the rebound was saved by Rice, almost saw City go back in front.

Rice later denied Steele again, and Lyon went close, but it was not to be for the hosts.

Before the game City would have settled for a draw, but were left to rue what might have been.

Oxford City: Jesionkowski, Clarke, Ashton, Savage, McIlwain, Blossom, Lyon (Fuller 85), Malone, Pritchard (Janes 45), Steele, Kington (Morris 78). Sub not used: Davis.

Referee: S Brown (Redditch).

Attendance: 235.