Oxford City extended their unbeaten run to five games in Enterprise National Legaue North with a 1-1 draw away at Merthyr Town.

The Hoops had to come from behind after Cawley Cox pounced on a lapse in concentration in City’s backline to give the host’s an early lead.

However, City battled back after the break and levelled through Jack Bearne’s perfect chip.

In the second-half, City looked more likely to steal all three points, but Max Metcalfe also made a stunning stop to deny maximum points staying in Wales.

Ross Jenkins made three changes to the team with an eye on the busy Easter Weekend. Canice Carroll made his third full debut for the club, coming into the starting XI alongside Tom Scott and Josh Parker.

Six minutes in, Merthyr took the lead through Cox. 

A ball outfoxed the City defence and was played in behind city’s backline to the Merthyr man who beat Metcalfe to the ball to poke home. A sloppy goal to give away. 

The wind was a major player in the contest, and swung firmly in Merthyr’s favour in the first-half. In truth, city never got going in the first 45’ but limited the host’s to limited opportunities.

Lewys Twamley’s effort that was dragged wide of the mark was the closest the host’s came to scoring a second.

Half-time: Merthyr Town 1-0 Oxford City

Whatever was said at the break worked, as City came flying out of the traps.

They soon levelled through Jack Bearne’s perfect, whose perfectly timed run saw him burst through on goal and chip Merthyr keeper Jamie Cogman. 1-1.

From then on in, the Hoops looked the more likely. However, they couldn’t quite find a way through. 

On 77’ minutes though, Max Metcalfe took centre-stage with what might just win the save of the season award (if there is one). 

Again, it was Cox who was the danger man as he evaded everyone in the box to seemingly nod a cross into the back of the empty net. Miraculously, Metcalfe covered a serious amount of ground to hook the ball off the line with a strong palm (think David Seaman’s save for Arsenal-esque). 

City almost nicked maximum points just two minutes later. Josh Ashby’s cross was whipped in and sub Matty Taylor latched onto the ball to tap-home. Unfortunately, the linesman’s flag curtailed the celebrations… on or off? We won’t know until we see the replay. 

Both team’s pushed forward to win the points for very different reasons, but perhaps fairly ended in a point. City stretch their unbeaten run to five matches, with one huge game coming up on Monday against Peterborough Sports at The MGroup Stadium (3pm). 

Another step in the right direction. 

Attendance: 1,398

Oxford City XI: Metcalfe, Wilson (Burroughs 85'), Ashby, Harper-Bailey, Bearne (Clark 56'), Ellis, Parker, Scott (McEachran 64'), Humphries, Hemmings (Taylor 75'), Carroll

Subs not used: Johnson, Sturridge, Humphrey-Ewers