Oxford City had to settle for a point in an entertaining 1-1 draw with Thame United in yesterday's Ryman Division 1 derby clash at Court Place Farm.

City celebrate But City could have won the game had substitute Jermaine Ferreira not blazed a shot over in injury time, after Steve Arkins's initial effort was blocked.

City , who were anxious to avenge a 3-0 humbling at Thame earlier in the season, almost took an early lead, Matty Whitehead firing wide in the first minute.

Seconds later, Thame's Jefferson Louis combined well with Mark West, only for the latter to hit his effort over the bar.

Thame suffered a blow on ten minutes when Justin Merritt was taken to hospital with an injured right knee after he fell awkwardly, following a routine challenge

Wayne Cort, was working well with strike partner Louis, and he was unlucky when his shot whistled past Stuart Nelson in the City goal.

Louis had the chance to put Thame ahead on 22 minutes, but the referee blew for a foul on the big striker by City's Craig Farley as he advanced on Stuart Nelson's goal.

On 31 minutes, Thame were in front Martin Brown heading home Nando Perna's excellent corner.

But within 60 seconds, City equalised through a brilliant individual goal from Danny Wise.

The midfielder picked up a loose ball on the halfway line, and ran forward before cracking an unstoppable 25-yard shot past Alan Foster in the Thame goal.

Justin Lee went close for Thame with a long-range shot, City responding through a Farley effort which was well-held by Foster.

As the half finished, only a brilliant last-ditch tackle from Brown denied Wise his second goal.

After the break, City had a let-off when Cort blazed wide of an open goal, after a brilliant run and cross from Louis.

Andy Smith then did well to halt Louis's run on City's goal, before Nelson beat away a tremendous shot from the same player on 65 minutes.

City dominated the second half, only for their good approach work to be ruined by a poor final ball, though Whitehead was unlucky when his volley went wide of a post on 65 minutes.

**Oxford C: Nelson, Farley, Dark, Smith, Craker, Woodhouse, Arkins, Whitehead (Fontaine 77), Mitchell (Ferreira 58), Wise (Holder 73), Wimble.

Thame Utd: Foster, Saulsbury, Avery (Joyce 45), Brown, Williams, Merritt (Smith 10), Lee, West, Cort (Stewart 89), Perna, Louis.

Attendance: 241.