OXFORD City missed out on the chance to move to the brink of the Vanarama Conference North play-off places as they drew 1-1 with North Ferriby United at Marsh Lane last night.

Victory would have taken Justin Merritt’s side up a place and within two points of the top five, but they had to be content with a draw with the FA Trophy finalists as both sides cancelled each other out.

In the end, they had to come from behind, thanks to an effort from Declan Benjamin.

City threatened early and a long-range effort from Tom Winters travelled just wide.

  • Latest Sport news

Later, a cross from Luke Coulson just needed a touch to open the scoring, but it flashed across the face of the goal and away to safety.

City were forced into an early reshuffle as they lost Darren Pond with what looked like an ankle injury after just 12 minutes.

The visitors had begun the game in a determined fashion, but gradually City made the game more of an even contest.

An audacious lob from Winters saw keeper Jonathan Hedge just get a touch to put it over for a corner.

Hedge then spilled an effort from Paul Stonehouse, but the danger was cleared.

Ferriby took the lead 11 minutes after the restart, when the City defence failed to clear a loose ball in the area, which allowed Danny Hone to head in for a soft goal.

But the advantage did not last long and on 65 minutes City got a deserved equaliser.

Winters, who had an excellent game, made a penetrating run down the left before crossing into the middle, where the incoming Benjamin placed in.

The visitors came the closest to winning it late on, with City goalkeeper Salva De La Cruz smothering Tom Denton’s attempt on goal, but a draw was the fair result.

Oxford City: Salva, Coulson, Santiago (Rodriguez 60), Henderson, Stonehouse, Lapoujade, Barcelos (Wilson 82), Pond (Benjamin 12), Fofana, Winters, Yussuf. Subs not used: Del Alamo, Scott.

Attendance: 177.