JACK IN THE BOX POPS UP LATE TO LIFT MOORS

SUBSTITUTE Jack Stevens struck late as Solihull Moors came from behind to end their four-game losing streak.

Oxford opened the scoring just before the hour as Zac McEachran finished a superb move, but the lead lasted only five minutes when Matty Warburton levelled.

But just when the sides looked to settle for a point, Stevens struck to ensure all points returned up the M40.

It was only really after the half-time interval that the game really burst into life, with neither defence willing to concede many opportunities.

The first save of the match was forced by Reece Fleet, as a good move saw McEachran flick the ball to the City skipper whose effort was well kept out by Nick Hayes.

The crossbar was tested at the other end as well, and it was the other skipper in Jamey Osborne whose curling effort hit the upright and allowed City to clear to safety.

Five minutes after the restart and the visitors broke through the City defence with Josh Kelly, but superb defending saw Andre Burley catch up with the midfielder and see the ball behind for a goal-kick.

Kelly was once again played through three minutes later, but Bycroft did well to block his effort.

City however, looked dangerous on the break, particularly with McEachran. He tried to play a one-two with Josh Parker on the edge of the box on 53 minutes, but was thwarted when he looked to shoot.

Five minutes later, in almost identical fashion, he played a one-two with Parker and this time got into position to rifle the ball past Hayes and give the hosts the lead.

Thoughts on pushing on for victory were quashed five minutes later when Kelly slotted Warburton through one-on-one with Bycroft, with the forward slotting past the City stopper with ease.

An exciting finale was in store with both sides looking capable of stealing the points.

Warburton had a free-kick on the edge of the box blocked by the ball, before he also had a shot from the edge of the box that was deflected over Bycroft and onto the bar.

The Hoops had chances as well as Nya Kirby’s curling effort was over the bar, before Fleet again burst into the box, and was unable to keep his effort down.

But a winner would eventually come, in somewhat chaotic fashion. Bycroft looked to become a hero for the hosts as he pulled off two outstanding saves from point-blank range when the visitors looked certain to score. City, however, were unable to clear their lines, and after Bycroft again pulled off a fine save, it fell to Stevens who smashed into the roof of the net.

“It was really frustrating and disappointing,” City boss Ross Jenkins said.

“I thought we dominated the game, and to a man we were brilliant.”