Lamont's leveller has City in a spin

ROYSTON TOWN 2 (R Cannon, P Lamont) Oxford City 2 (M Potter 2) A 25-yard thunderbolt from Paul Lamont gave Royston a share of spoils against league leaders Oxford City, on Saturday. Lamont struck just before the half-time break when the high-flying visitors could only half-clear a corner, and Lamont powered the ball through crowded box. It was a point, arguably their best of the season, that the home side deserved after twice fighting back from a goal down. With Joff Dobson unavailable, Mark Saggers and Brian Cannon opted for a new-look attacking line-up with Dean Jeffries partnering Conrad Wellstead up front, although neither made much impression on the City back-line. In a game of contrasting halves, there was plenty of goalmouth action before the break, and with the Crows now 11 points clear of the relegation zone with nine game remaining, Saggers' team are now beginning to edge towards safety. It took just 73 seconds for the visitors to take the lead when a cross from the left found an unmarked Mark Potter, who had the simple task of heading home. The goal clearly deflated the Crows, and Oxford dominated the early stages of the game, and it was not until the 19th minute that the home side created a real chance. An excellent cross from Carlo Silenti, who was under pressure from Adam Durrant, found the head of Ryan Cannon, who gave Carl Wilkins in the visitors goal no chance. Lamont saw an effort go wide before City regained the lead in the 31st minute when another ball down the left was converted from close range by Potter. Oxford looked to have taken control of the game at this stage, which Chris Geldart forced to make a fine saving tackle to prevent Potter grabbing his hat-trick, and the same player also heading over. Lamont's strike in the dying seconds of the first half should have set up an entertaining second period, but in the freezing conditions and a second bout of snow, the game deteriorated after the break. City's Chad Miller hit a shot straight at Barry White, who returned in goal after missing the last three games, while at the other end Jeffries failed to connect properly with the ball six yards out when he really should have done better. Henry Burnley and Miller both went close for the visitors, but as the game petered out, the home side were left to move another point closer to a 12th straight season of Premier Division football. Royston: B White, P Lamont, R Cannon, S Snowden, P Flack, C Geldart, L Rogers, M Saunders, D Jeffries, C Silenti, C Wellstead. Subs: J McMurrough, T Galvin, M Williams.