Oxford City 1, Bradford Park Avenue 1

Avenue’s play-off hopes suffered yet another blow as the were forced to settle for a point from their trip to Oxford City, just three days after losing at home to the same opposition.

The home side’s skipper Andy Ballard, who had been sent off in the first half of the reverse fixture, caused the Avenue defence early problems with his long throw-ins but the visitors’ centre back Tim Ryan was in excellent form.

In an all-action first ten minutes, Michael Duckworth cleared an effort off the line just a minute before Avenue’s Tom Corner saw his on-target attempt cleared off the line at the other end.

Oxford took the lead when Jamie Cook broke into the area and fired in an angled, low shot that gave John Lamb no chance.

Avenue were not behind for long, however. Paul Walker was dispossessed but at the expense of a throw-in and he took it quickly to send Jordan Deacey away, and his deflected shot looped over home keeper Nick Townsend.

Manager John Deacey took a gamble at the break when he made an attacking change by substituting defender Jamie Price for forward Danny Holland.

The move showed signs of paying off as the visitors were the more assertive at the start of the second half.

Avenue had the better of the chances but Oxford held out and could have even stolen a winner as they pushed in added time.