Oxford United 2 - 2 Mansfield Town: Super sub Jack Thomas earns Mansfield late point at Oxford

Posted Wednesday, February 10, 2016 by PA

Substitute Jack Thomas' last-gasp header earned promotion hopefuls Mansfield a 2-2 draw at third-placed Oxford.

Danny Hylton struck twice for the hosts in a topsy-turvy Sky Bet League Two encounter at the Kassam Stadium.

And Hylton missed a great chance to claim a hat-trick and win the game in stoppage time, when he headed wide from a glorious position.

Mansfield had taken the lead in the 22nd minute when Matt Green returned to haunt his former club, heading home after goalkeeper Sam Slocombe failed to connect properly with a punch clear.

Everton loanee Jonjoe Kenny played a key part in United's equalised on eight minutes later, with an overlap on the right and cross for Hylton to head home from seven yards.

Slocombe atoned for his earlier error with a brilliant one-handed save to turn James Baxendale's 18-yard drive around a post.

On 69 minutes, strong United pressure ended with Kemar Roofe nodding on Zeli Ismail's cross and Hylton rifling a shot off the underside of the bar.

And, after Oxford's Chris Maguire had struck the woodwork from a free-kick, Thomas nodded home after another Slocombe error, with the point gained lifting the Stags to fourth in the table.