Oxford City were left frustrated in the North East after they were held to a 1-1 draw at play-off chasing Spennymoor Town.

DJ Sturridge's fourth goal in two games wasn't enough for City to hold the lead after Tom Pugh levelled fifteen minutes from time.

Despite the point being a positive one, The Hoops were made to rue a number of missed opportunities, but will be buoyed with another positive display.

Ross Jenkins named an unchanged eleven from City’s thumping 5-1 win over Darlington.

There was also a welcome return to the bench for Jack Bearne who returned from a long injury lay-off, and O’Shea Ellis started on the bench after joining on loan from Championship side Birmingham City. 

The First-half lacked the quality that the game needed. Chances were at a premium, but perhaps most impressive was City’s spells of possession. 

The team looked like they were enjoying the ball and at times cut through the Moors defence. 

However, the final pass was lacking. The only real chances to note for Moors were two speculative efforts from the host’s that didn’t trouble Jamie Pardington. 

The best chance of the half fell to The Hoops, but when Ewan Clark was played through on goal he couldn’t test ‘keeper Brad James with his drilled effort. 

Half Time: Spennymoor 0-0 Oxford City 

The deadlock was broken ten minutes after the interval when DJ Sturridge’s red-hot form continued with another goal. 

The Striker did what all good striker’s and peeled off at the back post to poke home the opener from a cross. 

DJ’s hitting all the right notes on the pitch, but Zac McEachran deserves an equal amount of acclaim after his magic feet created the chance from the by-line. 

That goal gave City even more confidence, but they couldn’t quite make their dominance with the ball count for a second goal.

In fact, Moors enjoyed their best spell of the game soon after. Glen Taylor and Rob Ramshaw both spurned great opportunities with headed efforts before Tom Pugh curled an effort inches wide of the post after a cross was pulled-back to the edge of the box.

Pugh wasn’t to be denied a goal though, and he levelled with a low driven shot fifteen minutes from time to cap a good spell of play for the host’s. 

There was no over exuberant celebration from Spennymoor. In fact, the team ran straight back to the centre circle as they smelled blood. However, unlike in previous games where City could’ve caved… the opposite showed. 

Ross Jenkins’ side came fighting back, and in the last ten minutes looked like the most likely to win the game. 

A miraculous block from Spennymoor defender Mackenzie Heaney denied DJ Sturridge a second goal, as he somehow hooked the ball off the line before the striker could poke the ball into the net. 

Then, substitute Isaac Westendorf burst through on goal, but his shot was superbly saved by Brad James to deny City again. 

As the clock ticked on, so did City’s attack, but again they couldn’t find their way past a resolute defence. 

A solid point, but it won’t feel like that for Ross Jenkins and his players, as The Hoops will feel they did enough to win the game (albeit hit the target). 

City go again on Boxing Day as they take on an in-form Merthyr Town at The MGroup Stadium (1pm). Get your tickets HERE.

Attendance: 1,052

Oxford City Starting XI: Pardington, Roddy, Ashby, Johnson, McEachran, Sturridge (Parker 90+1), Wiggett, Clark (Bearne 90+1'), Burroughs, Humphrey-Ewers, Daniel (Westendorf 70')

Subs not used: Wilson, Francis, Ellis, Potter