Aldous shown red to leave York hanging on

But the Knights shrugged off the setback to lead 22-12 at the break, Ben Dent opening the scoring.

With Jonny Presley continually prompting the Knights, Mark Applegarth’s inside pass was hit at pace by Jack Blagbrough to touch down but Josh Nathaniel capped a fine performance to score after a delightful 40-20 gave the visitors possession.

York hooker Kristian Brining was held short of the line but the ball was worked wide for James Haynes to score before Craig Cook dived over from acting-half to reduce the deficit again.

But on the stroke of half-time Greg Minikin shrugged off tacklers to force his way over and give the Knights a 10-point lead which was to prove crucial.

Oxford bounced back after the resumption as Nathanial showed his pace to add his second try, but Knights second-rower Josh Tonks ran an excellent inside line to punch through the defence and restore the advantage.

Minikin added his second try striding over 70-metres after collecting a spilled ball only for substitute-prop Kyle Danns’s brute force ensuring a touch-down.

Aware an upset was possible Nathan Kitson’s accurate kick saw Andrew Hoggins collect and touchdown but with four minutes remaining Blagbrough was the York hero bursting the defence to score a vital try.

York: Haynes, Morrison, Morland, Minikin, B Dent, Presley, Howden, Applegarth, P Smith, Aldous, Cunningham, Tonks, Blagbrough. Substitutes: Brining, Nicholson, Roche, Craig

Oxford: Thomas, Matthews, Nathaniel, Brooker, Gardiner, Kitson, Speake, Tyson-Wilson, Cook, Evans, Withington, Hoggins, Land. Substitutes: Mignacca, Danns, Andrade, Biscomb

Referee: S Mikalauskas (RFL).