Oxford City were made to rue their missed opportunities in Enterprise National League North, as they had to settle for a point on the road to Alfreton Town.

A match that had a lot riding on it before kick-off, got even bigger after Ewan Clark's superb bending effort opened the scoring just seven minutes in, before Jack Newall was sent off for the hosts.

However, Alfreton made their long-throw in tactic count as City were punished for switching off for just a second, when Dylan Youmbi levelled after the break.

At the end of the match, both sides desperately looked to snatch all three points but Canice Carroll hooked an Alfreton effort off the line before Jack Bearne was so close to scoring before the host's did the same. 

The draw extends City's unbeaten run in ENLN to seven matches, but on another day there could've been an extra two points on the tally. 

Ross Jenkins was forced to make changes to his starting XI with Matty Taylor starting his first match for the club. There was also a welcome return for Isaac Westendorf, who made the bench after recovering from a broken leg. 

Alfreton started brightly, but it was the Hoops who took an early lead. Good work from Taylor kept a City attack alive before he found Clark on the edge of the area.

He duly twisted and turned before curling a left-footed shot into the top corner of the net with the aid of the post. An absolute scorcher! 

It should've been 2-0 just minutes later when Taylor was set through on goal himself, but his shot couldn't find it's way past Alfreton loanee 'keeper Charlie Casper and stung his palms instead.

More chances came and went, with Alfreton's threat reduced to long throw-ins, but Clark again went close before sending a shot over the crossbar from a tight angle.

The game took a further turn when Jack Newell was sent off for a nasty challenge on Aaron Harper-Bailey. Straight away the red card came out of the referee's pocket and the host's were reduced to ten-men. 

Half-time: Alfreton 0-1 Oxford City

The hosts started brightly and didn't let the set-back get them down. They levelled from a customary long throw-in which the City defence switched off from for just a second.

A clearance landed to the feet of Youmbi who turned and drilled a shot into the net. 1-1.

Nevertheless as the half went on, so did the battle. A nervy game got more nervy and more chances presented themselves to both sides.

For City though, they'll be scratching their heads as to how they've not won the match.

O'Shea Ellis had a golden opportunity fall at his feet when Ashley Hemmings picked him out on the edge of the box, before he scuffed his shot wide.

He also tried his luck from range moments later, which despite being speculative, almost dipped into the net in stunning fashion. Close!

Moreover, City were harshly denied a perfectly fair second goal. A free-kick wasn't defended by the hosts and the ball rebounded of an Alfreton defender and into their own net.

Somehow, the assistant referee's flag was raised to the bemusement of both sides. The happiest man in the stadium though would be Burnley loanee Casper, who originally spilt a catch into the City attack.

As the game ebbed on into the last few minutes both sides desperately searched for a winner. Canice Carroll had to hook a shot off the line as Alfreton almost cruelly stole maximum points.

How big that clearance could be... who knows?

Substitute Bearne went close too right at the death. Again, Casper was a lucky man when he rushed out of his goal to clear only to the feet of City's attacker, who duly lobbed him.

Nevertheless, Max Hunt managed to scramble back to agonisingly deny City again. This time in a fairer fashion.

A result that keeps City's unbeaten run going, but equally frustrating in equal measure.

City move up to 50 points in ENLN, but perhaps more importantly keep the gap to Alfreton & Hereford to five points.

Still all to play for.

Attendance: 513

Oxford City Starting XI: Metcalfe, Wilson (Burroughs 46'), Ashby, Harper-Bailey, Ellis, McEachran (Westendorf 70'), Clark, Humphries, Hemmings, Carroll, Taylor (Bearne 89')

Subs not Used: Roddy, Johnson, Scott, Bitencourt De Oliveira