Both sides came into the game on impeccable runs of form with a combined thirteen games unbeaten between them.

Ben Darby came closest for Marine in the opening period with two chances, one of which had to be palmed around the post by Hoops keeper, Jon Maxted.

Oxford however provided the opening goal after 37 minutes as Tyrone Marsh laid on Ellis Brown who provided a solid low shot into the net from the left of the box.

Leigh Whelan straight from the restart attempted an audacious halfway line shot which needed to be tipped over again by Maxted.

The referee indicated two minutes minimum of injury time and it was just after that allotted time when City conceded their first away goal for over 400 minutes of play. Arjan Raikhy provided a cushioned pass across goal for midfielder Ben Darby to head home from short range.

Shortly after the beginning of the second half, referee Shaun Taylor dismissed Marine right back Isaac Abankwah for a second yellow card.

Tyrone Marsh could have put Oxford ahead once more as the ball came across the face of goal but his sliding attempt didn’t make contact as Marine struggled but survived gallantly with ten men against a spirited Oxford City.