OXFORD RL were denied their first victory in three months as a late penalty saw South Wales Ironmen rescue a 22-22 draw at Abingdon’s Tilsley Park.

The Blues led by two points with just seconds remaining, but Ben Jones stepped up to kick the visitors level in the Kingstone Press League One Shield encounter.

Oxford had been on the verge of ending an 11-match losing run across both the regular season and the division’s end-of-year competition.

But they are left waiting for a first victory since May 20, which came against the Ironmen.

Oxford, though, showed improvement in both attack and defence despite being a man down for the majority of the game after Thomas Newbould’s sending off.

The Blues took the lead on eight minutes when Harrison Brough went over for an unconverted try.

A dropped ball gifted Ironmen the opportunity to level, with Kade Breen benefiting to cross. Jones added the extras to make it 6-4.

They went eight points in front after 20 minutes, when Shaun Tennant dived over, with Jones converting.

Oxford’s Jordan Siddons was sin-binned for a high tackle.

However, the hosts scored twice to lead 14-12, Newbould and Bradley Moules crossing, with Harvey Burnett converting the first.

Oxford ended the half with 11 when Newbould was sent off for punching, but they held on to their advantage.

Christiaan Roets had a try disallowed for Ironmen, but they levelled on 63 minutes, thanks to a Jones penalty.

Oxford’s Francis Welsh and Connor Farrer for the visitors were yellow-carded for their role in a brawl.

It led to a penalty for the hosts, but they had a try ruled out for a forward pass.

Ironmen scored again through Connor Park, converted by Jones to make it 20-14.

But two quick unconverted tries from Jordan Gill made it 22-20 to Oxford, only for Jones to kick the visitors level in the dying seconds.