WORCESTER City twice let a lead slip from their grasp amid dramatic scenes at Court Place Farm.

The visitors looked to be heading for their third consecutive win following Mike Symons’ fifth goal of the season nine minutes into the second-half.

Albi Skendi levelled the scores with 89 minutes on the clock but Tom Thorley again put City in the driving seat with a fine free-kick almost immediately.

Yet, four minutes into stoppage-time, Declan Benjamin stunned the St George’s Lane outfit with a second equaliser after beating the offside trap.

It was another two points dropped for City on their travels after they threw away a two-goal lead at Bradford Park Avenue on the opening day of the season.

Both sides moved the ball well in blustery conditions but the end product in the final third left a lot to be desired. However, torrential rain livened up the second period and City finally broke the deadlock in the 54th minute.

Running on to a long ball over the top out of defence, Symons evaded the offside trap, carried the ball into the area and drove it beyond Warren Carter. The prolific striker was also booked for his over-zealous celebration with the travelling supporters.

An injury to Rob Elvins brought a first appearance of the season for Jay Denny following a three-game suspension. He slotted into midfield as a like-for-like replacement and was followed by Matt Birley replacing Greg Mills on the left.

Michael Taylor replaced Danny Glover late on in a bid to inject some pace but it was Oxford who found a lifeline with a minute of normal time left to play.

Worcester failed to clear the ball during a spell of head tennis and Skendi prodded it home, despite City claims that Ellis Deeney had been fouled in the build-up, a protest for which the left-back was booked.

That, though, was just the beginning of the drama as, 60 seconds into stoppage-time, Thorley restored the visitors’ advantage with a delightful free-kick in-off the far post.

City thought that was enough but, three minutes of added time later, substitute Benjamin got free of the defence and slammed another equaliser beyond Glyn Thompson.

City: Thompson 7, Weir 7, Whitehead 8, Shabir 7, Deeney 7, Reece 7, Thorley 8*, Elvins 7 (Denny 69), Mills 7 (Birley 77), Symons 8, Glover 7 (Taylor 82). Subs not used: Ayres, Edwards. Attendance: 365.