GOALKEEPER Laurie Walker was controversially sent off as Oxford City were denied victory by a late penalty at Dartford on Saturday.

Justin Merritt’s side had to settle for a 2-2 draw in their penultimate Vanarama National League South contest.

City twice led thanks to goals from Matt Whichelow and Julen Lafuente.

But Elliot Bradbrook levelled both times, the second coming from the penalty spot after Walker had been dismissed and replaced in goal by Declan Benjamin.

The hosts dominated for much of the first half.

Bradbrook was denied by the outstretched hand of Walker, while Ronnie Vint saw a header cleared off the line by Matt Bevans.

  • Video courtesy of Dartford FC's YouTube channel

A minute before the break City took the lead.

A simple pass caught the Dartford defence napping and Whichelow sprinted through before slipping the ball past the keeper.

Eight minutes into the second half it was all-square when Bradbrook headed home a Ryan Hayes cross.

Two minutes later, City edged back in front, Lafuente tapping in after the home defence had failed to deal with a Conor McDonagh cross.

Walker did excellently to tip Danny Harris’ effort wide when clean through, butCity were otherwise comfortable.

However, they paid the price for failing to extend their lead.

Three minutes from time, Hayes had the ball in the back of the net following a goalmouth scramble only for referee Ian Fissenden to halt the celebrations

Instead, he awarding a penalty and produced a surprise red card for Walker, who had earlier been booked for time-wasting.

With no substitute goalkeeper on the bench, midfielder Benjamin took the gloves, but was unable to keep out Bradbrook’s penalty.

Dartford, who needed victory to keep their play-off hopes alive, pushed hard for a winner, but City withstood the pressure to claim a point.

Oxford City: Walker, Bevans, Peake-Pijnen, Lapoujade, Santiago, Arzamendi, Bubb, Fleet, McDonagh (Benjamin 67), Lafuente, Whichelow. Subs not used: Pifarré, Knapton, Awadh.

Attendance: 1,190.