Farnborough came from behind with goals from Reggie Young and Jonathon Page cancelling out Zac McEachran’s opener for Oxford City who drop to fifth after the defeat.

It was a landmark day for captain Reece Fleet who broke into an exclusive list becoming the Hoops’ tenth all-time appearance holder reaching whilst Lewis Coyle made his 100th appearance for the Hoops.

City made one change from the starting XI at Dartford, with Klaidi Lolos coming in for the suspended Josh Parker. The bench also featured two new signings completed just before the deadline in Will Dawes and Joe Wilson, who signed from Yeovil Town and Ilkeston respectively.

In a game considered to have play-off significance, it was the visitors who started off on the front foot. Farnborough utilised an effective outlet in Ollie Robinson’s long throw which caused problems early on for City (and throughout the game).

The first chance of the game came after a lofted Robinson throw caused a scramble in the Oxford box, before Jordan Norville-Williams’ snapshot beat Adnan Kanuric only for Canice Carroll to head the effort off the line in the fourth minute.

Boro continued to control the game early on with their constant aerial threat causing problems for City. Selim Saied then tested Kanuric with an effort after some tidy interplay with Reggie Young on the edge of the box but the on-loan Nottingham Forest goalkeeper was well matched to it.

City had their backs against the wall for the opening segment of the game but carved out an opening after Lewis Coyle’s switch found Klaidi Lolos on the right-wing. He tee'd up Aaron Williams-Bushell but his thumping effort was tipped over by Jack Turner.

However, it was from the resulting corner where the Hoops would take the lead. Some quick thinking from Josh Ashby, meant that the midfielder picked out McEachran with a short-corner, before the McEachran unleashed a brilliant effort which sailed into the corner of the net.

The hosts then slowly began to put their stamp on the game. Lolos found space on the right to lay off Reece Fleet in the centre of the box, but his effort was gathered with relative ease by Farnborough 'keeper Turner.

The visitors remained well in the contest as Reggie Young tested Kanuric from range, but his driven effort was collected by the keeper.

The Farnborough midfielder wouldn’t have to wait long for a goal though. A good passing move from the Yellows caused chaos in the City box, before the ball fell at the far post for Young to tap in the equaliser.

Both sides struggled for control as the game headed into the break with both sides level.

Half time: Oxford City 1 – 1 Farnborough

The second-half started in similar fashion to the first between the two sides. However, it was McEachran who had the first chance. City’s goalscorer cut-in from the left wing, breezing past Freddie Grant, but his low effort was palmed away by Turner.

As was the narrative, the visitors posed a constant threat from their long throw-ins and were rewarded with their second goal of the game on the hour mark.

Robinson launched the ball into the City box with Grant’s initial headed effort bouncing off the far post, only for Jonathan Page to nod in the rebound to give the visitors the lead.

City tried to press for an equaliser but struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities in their search for an equaliser, however, the away side reminded the hosts of their continued attacking threat with Saied finding space at range, but his curled effort flew just past the post.

Jenkins tried to adjust his setup with the introduction of Joe Iaciofano and new signings Will Dawes and Joe Wilson.

However, Boro sat deeper and became more compact as the clock ran down. Aaron Williams-Bushell’s tried an attempt at goal from range but it failed to test Turner once again.

The Hampshire club frustrated the hosts limiting them to any clear-cut opportunities to see out a crucial three points which saw City’s brilliant unbeaten run in 2023 come to an end in disappointing fashion.

Jenkins’ men will be hoping to reset as they face another tough test in Braintree Town on Tuesday looking to bounce back from this setback.

Oxford City Starting XI: Kanuric, Miccio, Ashby, Burley (Wilson 86'), Coyle, Fleet, McEachran, Lolos (Iaciofano 81'), Potter (Dawes 81'), Williams-Bushell, Carroll

Subs not used: Davies, Carbon