AT THE END SNATCH IT!

OXFORD CITY staged a stunning late comeback as they scored three times in the final ten minutes to stun Havant & Waterlooville.

Billy Clifford’s first-half strike was cancelled out by a Zac McEachran inspired trio of late goals from Joe Iaciofano, George Harmon and Josh Ashby.

The game had a somewhat cagey start as both sides took time to get a foothold, but it was the visitors who looked dangerous in the early exchanges, Jake McCarthy’s effort falling just the wrong side of the post after eight minutes.

The hosts’ best efforts of the half both came from dangerous free-kicks. The first on 18 minutes from the left saw Iaciofano try to sneak a set play under the wall, before Harmon hit an effort from the other side which was on target but straight at Ross Worner.

Clifford looked dangerous for the visitors throughout and forced Ben Dudzinski into a fingertip save after 20 minutes as his dipping effort looked like dropping under the bar.

But the opening goal would come just after the half hour mark as an inswinging corner from Clifford caught Dudzinski and the City defence out and nestled into the corner of the net.

City made two changes on the hour which changed the dynamic of the game as Jacob Bancroft and Josh Ashby were introduced.

The former immediately charged down Worner, getting a block on a clearance, before minutes later he was played in behind Joe Oastler, forcing a fine last-ditch clearance from Josh Passley to prevent Harmon slotting home.

From the corner, Dan Matsuzaka was left in space for a goalbound header, which led to Worner making a fine save to push the ball away from goal.

With five minutes left on the clock, the equaliser came for the Hoops. Following a run down the centre from McEachran, a ball was slotted through for Bancroft to run into the box, before Iaciofano bundled home.

The turnaround was complete just two minutes later as McEachran’s stunning run through the middle saw his trickery nullify several defenders, allowing him to slot Harmon through whose fierce drive on the angle nestled into the net.

Just as the five added minutes were announced, the Hoops added a third goal as McEachran found Iaciofano in plenty of space in the box, City’s top scorer backheeling into the path of Ashby who took a touch before placing the ball into the corner of the net to complete a quite remarkable ending.