Ethan Hamilton’s moment of magic secured a point for Accrington Stanley against in-form Oxford at the Wham Stadium.

The midfielder rifled the ball home from 35-yards six minutes from time to make it two league games unbeaten for the Reds.

Oxford, unbeaten in nine in all competitions, had taken the lead through James Henry but Stanley threw everything at them – and could have won it in added time.

John Coleman brought Doug Tharme and Ryan Astley back into the Stanley starting XI.

The Reds put Oxford keeper Simon Eastwood under pressure in the opening stages as they started on the front foot.

In United’s first attack on seven minutes a Lewis Bate curling effort hit the top of the crossbar.

Seamus Conneely fired over for the Reds while Elliott Moore’s header was flicked just wide by Ciaron Brown for United.

Goalmouth action was limited in a competitive game.

Shaun Whalley broke on the right for Stanley on 36 minutes and charged down the wing before placing a cross to the waiting Mitch Clark but the Oxford defence just got there first.

Hamilton had a close range strike deflected wide on 40 minutes – the first shot on target for either side.

After the-restart, from a goalkeeper throw, Oxford raced down the pitch but Matty Taylor blasted over the bar.

United took the lead on 58 minutes when Marcus Browne tricked his way past the Stanley defence and crossed for Henry to thump home from close range.

Joe Pritchard came on on 68 minutes after overcoming an injury and, from a free kick, the ball bounced dangerously around the Oxford box but no one could make firm contact.

Kody Adedoyin entered the fray on 78 minutes and Stanley pressed and Shaun Whalley headed wide while Tommy Leigh’s strike was kept out by Eastwood.

Then Hamilton got the ball after a Pritchard corner was cleared to him, took a chance and blasted into the bottom corner of the net.

Stanley pressed for the winner and Hamilton’s free kick was superbly kept out by Eastwood in added time.

Stanley: Savin, Clark, Tharme, Astley (Adedoyin), Rodgers, Conneely (Pritchard), Whalley, Coyle, Hamilton, Longelo (Perritt), Whalley, Leigh

Subs: Jensen, Nolan, Martin, Fernandes

Yellow: Tharme, Astley

Crowd: 2447 (340 from Oxford)