A Tom Peers hat trick consigned Oxford City to a frustrating defeat on the road at Chester in Vanarama National League North.

Two goals before the break gave Chester a leg up in the contest before Jalen Jones’ header from Lewis Coyle’s corner halved the deficit.

However, City’s resurgence wasn't enough as Peers secured his hat-trick by tapping home Dylan Mottley-Henry’s cross at the back post. 

In the first-half, the Hoops were the architects of their own downfall.

A promising start was cancelled out by Peers’ first of the game. Tom Scott got the ball stuck beneath his feet, and after the ball was pinched, the striker was set through on goal and he produced the finish to beat Jonathan Macaulay between the sticks.

The goal seemed to shock the City defence and they almost went 2-0 down just after. This time Jalen Jones lost the ball and again Peers went through on goal, but this time the finish deserted him and the ball crashed back off the post.

After that, City woke up and they brought the game to Chester. Josh Parker came agonisingly close to levelling the scores, but his header bounced inches over the crossbar after Ashby’s corner.

However, a positive resurgence was shortlived as Peers grabbed his second. The Chester number 7, received the ball on his chest, turned and then fired into the corner of the net.

In the second-half, City’s positive play was rewarded when Jalen Jones powered home a header from Lewis Coyle’s corner to half the deficit.

For a while, the Hoops had Chester on the rocks, but their pressure couldn’t cut through the backline. McEachran beat two defenders but his shot didn’t have the power on it to beat Harrison.

In fact, the Hoops were caught on the break. Five minutes from Dylan Mottley-Henry sent a cross to the back post where Peers was waiting to tap home his hat trick.

A frustrating day in North-West, but we pick ourselves up and go again on Saturday against Farsley Celtic.

Attendance: 1,553

Oxford City Starting XI: Macaulay, Burley (Stirland 46’), Ashby ©, Jones, Coyle, McEachran, Parker, Scott, Potter (Andrews 66’), Walsh (Carbon 86’), Drewe

Subs Not Subs: Croker, Roddy