Oxford City are set to give a return debut to former Abingdon United defender Richard Peirson when they travel to Bashley in the Premier Division tonight.

It was during his first spell at City in the late 1990s when Peirson, 34, famously headed the equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Wycombe in an FA Cup first-round tie in 1999.

Wycombe won the replay 1-0 at Oxford United’s old Manor Ground after the first replay was abandoned due to a fire at Adams Park.

Peirson, who also played for Slough Town, Brackley Town, and Didcot Town.

He later joined Abingdon United as player-coach, but is believed to have been taking a break from football.

City boss Mike Ford said: “Richard has been without a club since leaving Abingdon, but he is still in good nick.

“He came to watch us and volunteered his services.

“We are without Craig McIllwain (hamstring injury) again and we need a decent central defender. I know him well and he is a very experienced player who can do a job for us.”

However, their on-loan Aldershot midfielder Adam Mekki, has gone back to his parent club to be part of the first-team squad.

Meanwhile, Banbury United manager Billy Jeffrey wants his team to be more clinical away to Cambridge City.

On Saturday, Banbury went down to their third defeat in a row with 2-1 last-gasp loss to Chippenham, but Jeffrey said better finishing would have brought them victory.

“We played exceptionally well against Chippenham, but we are not sticking away our chances,” said Jeffrey.

“David Stone should have scored in the first minute. Declan (Benjamin) got a good goal, but then we gave away a corner and they scored from it.

“David Staff went one-on-one with their keeper and then Adam Learoyd should have scored. And right at the end Declan had another chance.

“ I have no problems with the players’ attitudes or effort. We just need a goalscorer.

“The response in the last two games has been excellent and we have to keep it up.

“We have some difficult games against teams going for promotion, but we have to keep our heads.”

Oxford City (v Bashley, away): from Jesion-kowski, Ballard, Clarke, Blossom, Peirson, Ashton, Lyon, Kington, Barcelos, Savage, Malone, Dunn, Faulkner, Hughes, Isaac, Skelton, Lynch, Banbury Utd (v Cambridge City, home): from Murrell, Stanbridge, Cray, Gordon, Learoyd, Maddox, Coleman, Benjamin, Stone, Martin, Staff, Taylor, Oulton, Cross, McDonald, Buckwell.