Oxford City kicked off the Easter weekend with a  narrow 1-0 defeat on the road to title-chasing Brackley Town.

George Carline’s goal in first-half stoppage time proved to be the difference on the afternoon, after a late City fightback was thwarted by in-form goalkeeper Johnny Maxted. 

Ross Jenkins made two changes to the side that lost narrowly to Hereford. Canice Carroll and Corie Andrews both returned to the starting XI.

The first-half was a backs against the wall affair with the majority of the game taking place in City’s half. 

Right from the off the Saints came flying out of the traps and racked up a number of corners as they searched for an important three points to keep the pressure on their title rivals.

Some of the City defending was desperate, but by hook or by crook the Hoops cleared their lines as the title challengers threw everything they could at Ross Jenkins’ side. 

Brackley’s deadly striking duo of Connor Hall and Matt Lowe both came close to opening the scoring, but both strikers spurned big chances from inside the box. 

City were defending well though, so it was a hammer blow when the hosts went ahead just seconds before the interval. 

A cross into the box fell to the feet of George Carlin’s and he swivelled inside the box to fire past a helpless Kai McKenzie-Lyle in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time. 

Half-Time: Brackley Town 1-0 Oxford City 

After the break, it was much more like it from the Hoops. 

Ross Jenkins’ side battled back to gain a foothold in the game and bring the game to the title-chasers. 

However, they still had to be alert at the back to keep the hosts at bay. Josh Ashby made an important clearance on the line to deny Shane Byrne’s stinging shot from crossing the line. 

Nevertheless, the introduction of Reece Fleet changed the flow of the contest. Fleet himself was the first player to force a save out of Saints’ ‘keeper Johnny Maxted. 

The midfielder sent a powerful drive at goal, but the ‘keeper was equal to the effort, parrying the shot away to his left. 

Canice Carroll was next to try his luck, but his shot towards goal was again tipped wide by Maxted. 

As the minutes ticked on, City pressed on for a leveller, but they were once again denied by the in-form Maxted. 

A mazey run from Zac McEachran carved open the Brackley defence, but again a strong save denied the City man. 

As the game progressed into the dying moments, the atmosphere around St James’ Park started to turn. 

However, in the end, it was a superb save from Maxted that denied the Hoops a point. Neat link up play on the right allowed substitute Alfie Potter to a curl a shot at goal. 

The effort looked destined for the corner of the net, but the sprawling shot-stopper miraculously tipped the effort round the post. 

City were inches away from an impressive scalp on the road, but they’ll look to secure a win with a quick turnaround in their last home game of the season against Rushall Olympic on Easter Monday. 

Oxford City Starting XI: McKenzie-Lyle, Ashby, Andrews, McEachran, Carroll, Parker (Carbon 37'), Scott (Fleet 60'), Willcox, Croker, Roddy (Potter 75'), Drewe

Subs not used: Jones, Coyle