OXFORD City suffered late agony as Justin Bennett’s 86th minute winner handed Gosport Borough victory and condemned Justin Merritt's side to a second successive home defeat.

Darren Pond’s early opener was cancelled out by Rowan Vine’s header in the Vanarama National League South encounter.

The hosts hit the woodwork twice as they went in search of a second, but Gosport stole it four minutes from time.

Gosport had the first clear chance when Bennett fired wide.

But City took the lead with ten minutes gone as Carlos Piffarre’s strike came back off a defender for Pond to fire home.

The visitors levelled five minutes later with Vine heading home after the ball came back off the bar.

Both teams created chances, but neither side could find the target.

Declan Benjamin’s effort cleared the bar, while Gosport’s Mike Carter saw his strike go behind for a corner.

Kynan Isaac then drove a 20-yard effort straight at Nathan Ashmore.

City went in search of a winner and Conor McDonagh struck the crossbar, before a goalmouth scramble saw the ball come back off the woodwork again.

But with time running out Gosport stole the three points when Bennett steered home, seeing City slip to third.

Oxford City: Walker, Coulson, Stonehouse, Fofana, Lapoujade, Santiago, Benjamin (Bubb 56), Pond, (Lafuente HT) McDonagh, Sterling-James, Piffare (Isaac 56). Subs not used: King, Fleet.

Referee: T Wood.

Attendance: 349.