OXFORD City took another point off Blue Square North play-off contenders by holding FC Halifax to a 2-2 draw at Marsh Lane last night.

Mike Ford’s men, playing their fifth league fixture in just 11 days, also took points off Bradford Park Avenue and Harrogate.

City held sway in the first half.

Jamie Cook brought a smart save from keeper Matt Glennon early on, while at the other end, Nick Townsend got down smartly to foil Lee Gregory.

City were not to be denied, however, and took the lead on 11 minutes.

Nick Stanley found Felipe Barcelos, who held off a challenge before running on to lift the ball over the keeper and into the net.

Stanley and Mark Bell both went close, while at the other end, before the break, Townsend made a brilliant stop from Danny Glover’s powerful drive.

Halifax had the better of the second half and levelled on 58 minutes through James Bolton, who shot through a crowd of players.

And the Yorkshiremen went 2-1 up nine mintes later when Townsend was adjudged to have brought down Gregory and Danny Gardner scored from the penalty spot.

City kept battling, however, and netted a deserved equaliser in the dying seconds.

Substitute Adam Learoyd was the hero, heading home Bell’s free-kick to earned his side a point.

Oxford City: Townsend, Benjamin, Stonehouse, Malone, Gunn (Learoyd 63), Willmott, Stanley (McNish 63), Pond, Barcelos, Cook (Basham 74), Bell. Subs not used: McEachran, Joyce.

Attendance: 282.