The Hoops were dominant in the first-half and led through Josh Parker’s goal five minutes before the interval.

However, the hosts, who had been reduced to ten-men after Jordan Dyer’s red card, turned the game around after goals from Opi Edwards & Scott Wilson.

Before the match, Ross Jenkins’ side knew that a win would be enough to clinch a by to the semi-final stage. Furthermore, if they were to match Chelmsford City’s result against Taunton, then that too would be enough for third!

The Hoops started superbly and almost took the lead after two minutes. Max Harris did well to tip away Alfie Potter’s close-range effort after the first attack of the game.

Harris was a busy man throughout the afternoon. Zac McEachran, Lewis Coyle and Josh Ashby all had efforts saved by the in-form goalkeeper in the early stages.

It was one-way traffic and Bath had to be at their best defensively. Kieran Parselle somehow blocked McEachran’s ferocious effort off the line; the first of many times the hosts rode their luck.

Two fouls in quick succession gave Dyer an early end to the season. His foul on Parker was the final straw in the eyes of referee Samuel Read, who handed him a second yellow card just after the half hour mark.

City did get their just rewards eventually though! Josh Parker slammed home a shot at the second attempt after the ball dropped to him perfectly inside the box.

He had no problems in finding the top corner of the net, the one shot that Harris had no chance of saving!

Half-Time: Bath City 0-1 Oxford City

City continued their dominance in the early stages of the second-half but were outdone in five minutes of madness.

Firstly, four minutes after the re-start, Scott Wilson’s marauding run allowed him to find Edwards at the back post for a tap-in to equalise against the run of play.

Then, two minutes after, Bath were awarded a contentious penalty by referee Read, despite Parker seemingly winning the ball in a 50/50 challenge.

Scott Wilson stepped up to take the kick and made no mistake from the spot to turn the scoreline on its head.

The hosts had to clear another two efforts off the line at City pressed for a way back into the game. However, it was always going to be a difficult task against the low-block of Bath, who stayed resolute throughout to finish on a high!

A frustrating day on the field but off of it, bittersweet! Taunton's victory over Chelmsford meant that City had matched their closest rival's result!

The Hoops confirm their 3rd place finish in Vanarama National League South, their highest ever finish. We'll now play either Worthing or Braintree Town in the Play-Off Semi-Final on Sunday 7th May, 3:30pm kick-off at the RAW Charging Stadium.

Oxford City Starting XI: Haigh, Davies (Miccio 76’), Ashby, Burley, Coyle, Fleet ©, McEachran, Parker, Potter (Iaciofano 70’), Williams-Bushell (Wilson 60’), Carroll

Subs not used: Harrison, Humphrey-Ewers

ATT: 1,704