AN impressive debut from new striker Chris Zebroski at Halifax last night had Oxford United thinking about what might have been.

oThe 20-year-old was on fire in the first half before tiring later in a match which the U's should have won.

But the televised Conference fixture ended 1-1 at The Shay after Halifax grabbed an equaliser 19 minutes from time to cancel out Marvin Robinson's 48th-minute strike.

Zebroski, who had only met up with his new teammates in the morning, has signed on a month's loan from Millwall, where he has hit three goals in ten starts this season.

Manager Jim Smith said after last night's game: "He's been playing mainly Combination reserve-team games, so his fitness needs to improve.

"But he did well in the first half. I think if we'd had him from when we wanted him, at the start of the season, we'd have got a lot more points than we've got now."

Zebroski, formerly with Plymouth Argyle, was on trial with United in the summer, training with the squad before Millwall suddenly snapped him up.

But he is with Oxford now and his loan can be extended until the end of the season, including the play-offs, if they want.

Last night's draw leaves the U's 11 points behind leaders Dagenham & Redbridge, who visit the Kassam Stadium on Monday, but cements their second place in the table.

"It was two points dropped in terms of any chance of catching Dagenham, but that was going to be a long shot, " Smith said.

"We just want to keep picking points up to make sure we get in the play-offs.

"I thought we edged it in the first half and then we go and get the goal to put us 1-0 up.

"Halifax changed the system to combat our three at the back.

"We didn't keep the ball enough in their half in the second half, and consequently they eventually got the goal.

"All credit to Halifax. They changed the system, they got it forward well and defended well."