The ‘Scholars’ arrived for their first ever encounter with Kidlington at their welcoming ground having to shuffle the line up due to injury/holiday and work commitments.

A meagre crowd of 68 braved a cold afternoon to watch a well contested fixture - the home side fresh from a home win over leaders Royston mid week.

The first half was an interesting tussle in the mid field. The tone was set early on with the home side looking menacing on the attack down the flanks but unable to make possession count.

Although they would often get into the box they discovered the hallmark of ‘Scholars’ performances coming up against a resolute defence. All of the back four of Billy Baird, Carl McCluskey, Sean Grace and Will Wambeek were on their game dealing comprehensively with everything thrown at them, with Garry Jones marshalling the troops just in front of the back four and Ravan Constable always on hand to save well and confidently.

But we did stutter going forward with Chris Doyle trying hard to get the play moving forward and despite the hard working Eoin Casey leading the attack – the other three of Femi Ogunsola, getting his first start, Max Holland down the right and Ashley Nathaniel-George down the left only showing patches of their ability when on the ball.

Half time arrived goal less due to the fact the home side when they did get through twice hitting the wood work - one a thunderous shot from a free kick just outside the box that thudded against the crossbar and headed over by a following up forward.

Whatever was said at half time certainly galvanised the visitors into more action at the start of the second half.

Max Holland was brought down in the box but nothing given.

But on 51 mins the deadlock was broken when excellent play by Will Wambeek down the left saw the ball played to Femi Ogunsola who turned a defender and shot low but his shot was blocked by another defender whose attempted clearance went to Garry Jones positioned centrally just outside the box who rifled home a low shot.

A cross in from the left by Ashley Nathaniel-George saw a good header from Femi Ogunsola beat the keeper but brush the left hand post. Ashley Nathaniel-George then went on a mazy run down the left, cutting into the box forcing the keeper to parry the ball away and a defender cleared.

This impressive spell was broken by an equaliser from the home side as a fierce shot from the edge of the box was parried by Ravan Constable and Anaclet Odhiambo was on hand to follow up and level the scores on 67 mins.

The ‘Greens’ then had the chance to go ahead on 70 mins when Anaclet Odhiambo was felled in the box by Sean Grace but he shot wide of the left hand post with the penalty and the chance was gone.

Sean Grace was injured in that incident and was replaced by Michael Murray. The visitors were suffering from players going down to injury as they fought hard to ensure a hard earned point would be there.

But a never say die approach saw Will Wambeek again win possession and get down the left releasing Ashley Nathaniel-George into the box who crossed in to Femi Ogunsola who turned and had his shot blocked but the ball fell to Michael Murray who skipped past a player to create space to place his low shot into the right hand corner on 88 mins (Muzzamania!)

In scoring Michael Murray was injured and was replaced up front by Shane Gilsenan – not usually expected to run around as he is a keeper.

Bu the ‘Scholars’ held firm and despite 5 mins of added on time deservedly held on to win – at the end of the day it goals than win matches and the home side will rue the numerous chances they failed to take.

The ‘Scholars' remain seventh but are now only two points off the play off places and three points off third spot – Barton Rovers next – are they up for it?

Team: Ravan Constable, Billy Baird, Will Wambeek, Carl McCluskey, Sean Grace (Michael Murray 79 mins (Shane Gilsenan 89 mins)), Garry Jones, Max Holland (Tom Boxer 75 mins) Chris Doyle, Femi Ogunsola, Eoin Casey, Ashley Nathaniel-George.

Sub unused: nobody left!

Man of the Match: Will Wambeek – commanding in defence and going forward