TEN-MAN Oxford City picked up their first point of 2019 after a 2-2 draw at Eastbourne Borough.

It was a hard-fought result for Mark Jones’s side, who played the final half-hour of the Vanarama National League South clash a man down after goalkeeper Craig King was sent off.

City handed debuts to their trio of new signings, Tarik Moore-Azille, Brandon Thomas-Asante and Joel Dielna.

But they were on the back foot early on, King doing well to tip a Charlie Walker free-kick just over the bar in the fourth minute.

However, City started to get into the game and went ahead in the tenth minute.

An innocuous Eddie Jones throw made its way to Kabongo Tshimanga on the edge of the box, where he played a neat one-two with Kyran Wiltshire before finishing well.

Thomas-Asante then twice went close as the visitors dominated.

Joe Oastler headed wide from a corner as chances continued to be created.

But they were made to pay for failing to take their opportunities when Eastbourne’s Stefan Ljubicic crossed from the left and Walker arrived late to tuck past King and equalise.

The hosts were on top and after a slow start to the second period were handed a huge advantage.

Oastler attempted a backpass to King when he could have let the ball run out of play.

Ljubicic intercepted and rounded the keeper, who hauled the striker down in the area rather than allowing an easy tap in.

King was sent off and Dean Cox dispatched the penalty past Steven Caro – the substitute’s first touch being to collect the ball from the back of the net.

Despite being a man down, City regrouped and pushed forward looking for an equaliser.

And it arrived with 20 minutes to go when Oastler headed home a Josh Ashby centre.

Eastbourne almost won it late on, but Jones cleared off the line to ensure a share of the spoils.

Oxford City: King, Jones, Dielna, Ashby, Moore-Azille, Oastler, Wiltshire, Fleet, Tshimanga, McEachran (Caro 61), Thomas-Asante. Subs not used: Self, Bawling, Case, Vine.