Goals from Henry Landers and Dan Turner were enough for Leamington to grab a smash and grab victory at the MGroup Stadium, as they emerged as 2-1 victors over Oxford City in Vanarama National League North.

A tight first-half left the game in the balance, but City were made to rue missed opportunities after Corie Andrews saw his penalty saved by Leamington Goalkeeper Callum Hawkins after half an hour.

Landers gave the Brakes the lead in the second-half before a bit of magic from substitute Zac McEachran levelled. However, as City pushed on for a winner, Leamington caught the Hoops on the break and bundled home a winner seven minutes from time.

City’s day was compounded in injury time as Lewis Coyle was shown a second yellow card for a foul and the Hoops finished the game with ten-men.

In truth, the first-half was devoid of any real quality. Leamington started as the brighter side but they couldn’t make their early pressure pay. In fact, Kai McKenzie-Lyle was called into action just once to deny Landers.

When City did get forward though, they looked threatening. However, they were made to rue a string of missed chances.

The first one was from the penalty spot. Andrews’ excellent run behind the backline allowed him to latch onto a pass and subsequently round the goalkeeper before being tripped.

However, Brakes’ ‘keeper Hawkins was equal to the effort, diving to his right to produce an excellent save.

Andrews had another opportunity to hit the target just moments later. Again, he rounded Hawkins when through on goal, but the number nine couldn’t find the angle to fire towards goal with the target empty.

Half-Time: Oxford City 0-0 Leamington

The entertainment improved in the second-half, but it was Leamington who took the sting out of City’s quick start.

A short corner caught City short and Joseph Clarke’s cross was prodded home by Landers to give the away side the lead.

Zac McEachran was introduced as a substitute and his impact proved to be important. In a half where City couldn’t break down a resolute Leamington defence, McEachran found the smallest of gaps and unleashed a low driven shot into the bottom corner to level.

That looked like it was about to change the tide of the contest, but as City pushed forward, they were caught out. The Hoops defence didn’t deal with a long throw and a cross into the box caused chaos.

As City scrambled, Dan Turner took advantage of the situation to get the slightest touch to prod the ball into the net and ultimately steal all three points.

Matters got worse in additional time as City desperately threw players forward to find the equaliser. Though, after already being booked in the first-half, Coyle was adjudged to have fouled Williams and saw a second yellow card brandished in his direction.

A tough one to take for Ross Jenkins and his side to take, with the red card a good indicator of how the ninety minutes went.

Nevertheless, City’s bounce-back-ability has been impressive this season and Tuesday’s away fixture at Peterborough Sports is the perfect platform to recover from a pretty forgettable afternoon on all fronts.

Keep the faith!

Attendance: 512

Oxford City: McKenzie-Lyle, Burley, Ezennolim, Ashby, Jones, Coyle, Fleet, Andrews, Parker (Potter 46’), Scott (McEachran 54’), Drewe

Subs not used: Willcox, Croker, Carbon