Despite a stunning goal from Jayden Carbon, Oxford City were narrowly beaten 2-1 away at promotion-chasing Buxton in Vanarama National League North.

City had gone behind inside ten minutes after Ben Sault had given Buxton the lead, before Carbon’s strike just after the half-hour mark.

Ryan Viggars’ goal proved to be the winner, after he fired into an empty net after City Goalkeeper Jonathan Macaulay could only parry the ball into the Buxton man’s path.

However, the game could've ended very differently after Josh Parker equaliser was disallowed for offside in a decision that looked extremely harsh from a City perspective.

Ross Jenkins welcomed back the duo of Andre Burley and Jalen Jones who both returned to the starting XI after representing their nations over the international break.

Tom Scott also returned to the starting line-up, with Watford loanee Jonathan Macaulay keeping his spot between the sticks.

There was a positive start to the contest for City, but despite a fruitful first five minutes, a Buxton opener stopped their momentum.

Ben Sault received the ball on the edge of the area and found the space to turn and fire an effort past a helpless Macaulay to make it 1-0.

The game turned bitty, and the Hoops had to survive some Buxton pressure after the opener. However, they did, and started to grow into the game.

There was positive link up play in the final third as City played through the lines, but they couldn’t find a way past Goalkeeper True Grant as they piled on the pressure.

The pressure told just after the half hour mark. Jayden Carbon did well to work the space in the right-channel before unleashing a fierce effort into the net.

Was it a shot? Was it a cross? We’ll have to ask Jayden, but one thing is for sure, it outfoxed Grant and flew into the back of the net to level.

That goal seemed to inject some energy into the game as tensions started to boil over.

Seconds before the interval there was a big talking point. Carbon lost the ball on the edge of the box and Buxton countered through Luke Brennan.

Zac McEachran was the only remaining player defending for the Hoops. He took a swipe at the Buxton man that would have most certainly resulted in a red card if he connected.

However, he missed and was penalised for a second foul moments later. By that time, City’s defender’s had recovered and the decision was (rightly) a yellow card, which angered the Buxton players and fans.

Nevertheless, the half ended one-goal apiece.

The second-half was as cagey as the first. Macaulay made a great save to deny Buxton another goal, but he didn’t know too much about it.

 A cross was floated into the box, but as the ball floated around the area no Buxton player could find a finishing touch, and the Watford loanee pounced on the ball.

Buxton added to their lead with fifteen minutes of the game left. The host’s had been trying their luck down the channels for the entire match and they finally broke through via debutant Viggars.

Macaulay could only parry Popoola’s shot away from goal and into the path of Viggars who tapped home.

Ten minutes from the end, City thought they had levelled through Josh Parker, but the celebrations were cut-short due to the linesman’s flag.

City kept on pushing for a leveller, but came up against a resolute Buxton defence who were a match for everything that the Hoops could throw at them.

In the end, it was a tough defeat to take for the Hoops, who on the balance of play, deserved a point at the very least.

City continue their league campaign away at Chester in Vanarama National League North on Tuesday evening. Next Saturday, we’re back at home as we host Farsley Celtic at the MGroup Stadium.

Attendance: 501

Oxford City Starting XI: Macaulay, Burley, Ashby, Jones, Coyle, Fleet ©, McEachran, Parker, Scott (Potter 87’), Carbon (Walsh 77’), Drewe

Subs not used: Croker, Roddy, Stirland

Buxton, Grant, Williams, Mann (Viggars 10' (Tomlinson 87', (De Girlolamo 90+3')), Stobbs, Kirby ©, Brennan (Fitzhugh 76'), Sault, Coleman (Trueman 63'), Ravenhill, Popoola, Burton

Subs not used: