Pride was restored as Oxhey Jets delivered the reaction that was required, only to be denied a point by an agonising injury-time goal as they fell to a last-gasp 2-1 defeat at title favourites Windsor & Eton.

On the only grass pitch in Combined Counties League Division One to survive the freeze on Saturday, Jets were expected to be in for another very difficult afternoon following their dreadful display in last week’s 7-1 thrashing at Hillingdon Borough, but the crowd of 269 were stunned by a superb defensive performance in the first half by the visitors.

In fact, Jets were only denied the lead by a coat of paint when Joe Reade clattered the underside of the crossbar, only for the ball to bounce on the goal line and come back out.

Dave Barnes and Tom Inch’s side needed to continue their first-half effort if they were to retain hope of repeating the victory over Windsor and Eton they achieved earlier in the season at the Boundary Stadium.

With the slope and the very influential crowd behind them in the second half, the hosts upped their levels even more but frustration showed when they were reduced to ten men for a sin bin.

They were still, however, able to take the lead when, after 55 minutes, a sharp one-two opened up a chance, the keeper started to come and stopped and substitute Ethan Darcy rounded him to score.

Jets went a little into their shell but still dug deep. James Kimber and central defensive partner Craig Stephen Lett were faultless as the visitors’ desire and effort never faded.

Then the coaching staff shook things up and made multiple changes, and Jets went more direct.

With just three minutes to play the visitors' youngest player Patrick Brander attacked from an angle, sidestepped the keeper and slotted home to make it 1-1.

Now it was a different Jets, and how the game was not won will haunt them as three big chances came and went in quick succession.

The visitors had gone from no opportunities in the second half to streaming forward and looking like the more likely side, the best chance coming when leading scorer Dominic Mosca broke clear and slipped the ball wide of the keeper but agonisingly just past the post as well.

It was a frenzied finish as the referee indicated four minutes of stoppage time, but as seven minutes of time added on passed Jets lost possession going forward, the hosts countered and were awarded a soft free kick. From the delivery Pawel Kowalkowski headed home the winner.

It was a heartbreaking way to lose the game but there was nothing but praise for the whole Jets squad after the way they had responded against a side who have only lost two of their 23 league matches this season.