Boro for the second successive match dominated the second half proceedings, but like Tuesday evenings trip to Bedford had to make do with a solitary point.

Boss Steve King made two changes to the line up which took the field midweek, Jamie Stevens coming in for skipper Steve Robinson who commenced two match suspension, and keeper Michael Jordan, who signed on Friday following his release from Blue Square Premier, Eastbourne Borough coming in at the expense of Stuart Robinson.

In the opening minute of the game Boro had what looked to be a good shout for a penalty turned away by match referee Tim Wood, after Jack King was impeded in the box.

City keeper Jonathan North had to be on his guard early on, when McMahon’s probing free kick saw Adam Doyle rise highest in the area, only to be denied by an excellent stop.

Debutant Jordan though trumped his opposite number when on ten minutes he produced a breathtaking fingertip save to deny City’s leading scorer Lee Steele.

Jordan again came to Boro’s rescue as Steele, played in Michael Lyon but he stood firm in the one on one situation, and was called into action again from the resulting corner saving well, low to his right.

Controversy came in the late stages of the first forty five, as Dean McDonald got goal side of his man, and with what appeared a clear run on goal was pulled to the ground, with the only other defender square of the play it looked like the referee would have no option but to show defender Gunn a straight Red, but after consultation with his assistant issued just a caution to the City man.

North made a comfortable low save from McMahon’s free kick.

Bradley Bubb replaced Owen Price in the second period, the latter showing the effects of a strong challenge in the first half, and it was Boro who had the initial chance to open the scoring, stand in skipper Gary Holloway striding on the angle into the box only to be what appeared to be tripped, the referee ran purposefully to the scene of the incident and stunned Boro when he booked Holloway for simulation.

Despite their domination it was the hosts who took the lead, Lee Steele firing in from close range after Steve Davis’s corner was headed back into the danger area.

Seven minutes later and Boro were given the chance to level things up when the impressive Craig Braham-Barrett whipped in one of numerous crosses onto the hand of the unfortunate Dave Savage, it looked the weakest of Boro’s three shouts for a penalty, but it was awarded and Dean McDonald made no mistake from the spot to equalise.

Boro then relentlessly went about their task of taking all three points, Braham-Barrett was electric down the right hand side, and when he waltzed into the box on 67 minutes perhaps he should have opted the square the ball, but went alone only to see the ball rattle the base of the upright.

Bradley Bubb had a great chance to win the game when keeper North spilled Nic Ciardini’s  cross, but somehow missed the target from just inches out and somehow cleared the stand behind the goal.

Boro boss Steve King was disappointed at not taking all three points "Yet again we totally dominated the second half, Bradley Bubb could have had a hat trick after he came on, and again we spurned a number of chances."

He added, "The positives are we are creating chance after chance and it is only a matter of time before we convert a number of these in one match, the desire is very strong in this squad of players, and I could see from them at the end of the game that they had given everything to win this game, and I defy anyone to say any different."

Commenting on debutant keeper Michael Jordan he said "He had an outstanding debut, he looked comfortable and assured, and his handling was exceptional, he is only 23, but has played League and Conference football, and I know exactly what he is capable of."

Boro: Jordan, Braham-Barrett, Ciardini, King, Stevens, Doyle, McMahon, Holloway, Ibe, McDonald, Price (Bubb 45) Unused Subs: Thomas, Wormull, Dobson, Robinson Stuart

Goals:

Oxford City: Steele (54)

Boro: McDonald (61p)

Boro have a break from the League programme on Tuesday night, their scheduled trip to Stourbridge in the Zamaretto League being shelved for the Hampshire Senior Cup Quarter Final against Aldershot Town at Cherrywood Road, kick off at 7.45pm.