The Hoops only needed a point going into the game to secure an unassailable advantage on the chasing play-off pack but had to come from behind after Gianni Crichlow gave Braintree the lead.

Ross Jenkins opted to make two changes to the side that lost to Chippenham on Monday. Jacob Bancroft and Harry Kyprianou came into the starting XI with Elliot Benyon and Lewis Coyle making way.

A dominant first half display from the Hoops began from the first whistle. Bancroft raced across the box from the left to fire at goal, only to be blocked by a Braintree defender. However, moments later, the forward was given a second chance as the ball fell kindly for the striker but Iron Goalkeeper Billy Johnson did well to tip his vicious strike past the post. 

In the 20^th minute, George Harmon found a gap to fizz a low cross into the danger area for Bancroft to pounce upon, but he could not guide his effort on target.

With thirty-five minutes on the clock, Joe Iaciofano had his first sniff on goal. After some intricate play down the left, Reece Fleet threaded a ball through to the striker in the box for a first-time strike which narrowly missed the target.

Only five minutes later, Zac McEachran intercepted a poor pass on the right and dribbled through three Town defenders to find an angle to shoot, yet he could only watch as his effort skimmed the outside of the near post.

Halftime: Oxford City 0 – 0 Braintree Town

The Hoops started the second half much like the first, Bancroft sprinted past Kyran Clements on the left and darted into the box, pulling it back for Iaciofano to try his luck. However, Clements made amends and blocked the shot away from danger.

Nevertheless, against the run of play, Braintree took the lead in the fifty-third minute. After a floated cross, Gianni Crichlow was the first to react off a loose ball from a Town corner, producing a diving header into an empty net. Hoops Goalkeeper Ben Dudzinski looked to be held back as the ball came into the box, but the referee waved away the protests.

Just after the hour mark, it was dejavu. McEachran took on the Town defence, weaving inbetween the defenders but once again his effort couldn't quite find the target. Braintree's deep defensive line was working well.

The boys in blue and white piled on the pressure in the final ten minutes of normal time and had a golden chance to equalise when Josh Ashby sent a corner towards the back post. Harry Kyprianou rose highest to flick an effort towards goal but instead it found Charlie Rowan at the back post. His looping header looked destined for the net but the crossbar denied him to the astonishment of the crowd.

Deep into injury time and after relentless pressure City were thrown a lifeline. Iaciofano's cross from the right  struck the arm of Luke Pennell, and the referee took no time in pointing to the spot.

Iacfioano took the spot kick and, with nerves of steel, slotted his effort into the bottom left to equalise for City!

Braintree's bench and players felt hard done by and in the melee of the celebrations,  were reduced to 10 men. Pennell (who was booked for the original handball) was given a second yellow card for his protests to the referee.

That proved to be enough to secure a valuable point to see the Hoops over the line and now focus will switch to securing the club's highest placed finish (previously 6th in National League North) and a home tie in the end of season knock-out competition.

Full Time: Oxford City 1 – 1 Braintree Town

There is no rest bite for Ross Jenkins’ side, as they prepare for the Oxfordshire Senior Cup final against local rivals Oxford United on Tuesday, in the hope of securing some silverware.