Super sub Mark Rawle's diving header late on earned Oxford United a point in a blood and thunder battle against Huddersfield at the McAlpine Stadium.
Rawle, who has only made three starts all season, was introduced to the fray after Julian Allsopp saw red but just four minutes later the scores were level.
The Terriers, who have won eight of their last ten homes games, were much more dangerous a force in the first 45 with Oxford seemingly happy to play negative defensive football and escape Fortress McAlpine with the points.
But, after 38 minutes, the home side took the lead with another goal from wonder kid Jon Stead.
Nathan Clarke, who signed an extension to his current contract in midweek, launched a missile throw in towards Andy Booth's head but his attempt was cleared.
But it fell to Stead who hit a quick fire volley which deflected past Andy Woodman for the young striker's 15th goal of the season.
Oxford were rocked and the Terriers nearly made it two on the stroke of half-time when Stead used his lightning pace to beat Andy Crosby, but his ball from the by line was tantalisingly out of the reach of the onrushing Anthony Lloyd.
Town returned after the break both calm and comfortable and they dominated the proceedings until the sending off.
Referee Roy Pearson sent Julian Alsop off for violent conduct but, both he and manager Ian Atkins, claimed there was no contact made with Huddersfield's Nigerian defender Efetobore Sodje.
But the ten men of Oxford United were inspired and immediately upped the tempo.
And the travelling supporters had to wait just four minutes before they saw Matthew Bound's cross met by Rawle's pinpoint header.
Right at the death Town could have nicked it when on loan sub Folawiyo Onibuje's cross found Steve Yates with time and space in front of goal but he panicked and blasted wide.
Lee Fowler was also given his marching orders, Huddersfield's ninth red card of the season, right at the death when he recklessly dived in for a second bookable offence.
Oxford boss Ian Atkins was disappointed his side didn't play well until they were reduced to ten men. He said: "We stepped up a gear and increased the tempo - that was the real us - when we play like that no one in the division can live with us." Huddersfield Manager Peter Jackson thought his side were the better of the two and considered the result as two points dropped.
"I was disappointed about losing the two points, until they had a player sent off they didn't look like anywhere near scoring. I am pleased. Though. that the players’ performance was a huge improvement on last week."