Oxford City's recent revival was ended  by visitors King’s Lynn Town who left Court Place Farm with a 3-1 win this evening.

The Hoops conceded two sloppy early goals, one an own goal from Jalen Jones and the other from Josh Hmami,  and then, having dragged themselves back into contention through Corie Andrews were condemned to defeat when Sam Walker scored a third to seal the points for the on-song Linnets.

City gifted the visitors a goal in the 14th minute when Jones, under no pressure, rolled the ball back to where he thought McKenzie-Lyle was. Unfortunately, the keeper was stranded on the far side of the goal and could only watch in horror as the ball bobbled gently over the line.

To their credit the Hoops responded and dominated the rest of the first half without creating too many chances, Reece Fleet mistimed a header when well placed, Tom Scott made runs beyond the striker without getting a sight of goal and a Josh Ashby strike after half an hour was well saved by visiting keeper Patrick Boyes.

However on 32 minutes Hmami doubled the Linnets’ lead when Fin Barnes chased a seemingly lost cause to the line, cut it back and Hmami slotted powerfully home.

Two goals down at the break, City came out with renewed intent for the second half with Andrews forcing an early save and Zac McEachran rattling the crossbar before Andrews got them back into the game  with a neat goal on 57, curling the ball home after a precise Ashby pass had set him in on goal.

That goal set up an enthralling few  minutes where City threw men forward and the visitors looked to hit on the counter. Josh Parker joined Andrews up top but with 13 minutes to go the game was settled from a set piece when Hughes swung a free kick to the back post and Walker rose highest to head the ball back across the keeper and into the corner to make it 3-1 and game over.

Two good results away, then defeat at home. City will regroup and go again as they travel to Radcliffe on Saturday.

CITY

McKenzie-Lyle, Ezennolim (Roddy87), Ashby, Jones, Coyle (Burley 76), Fleet, Andrews, Scott (Parker 72), Carbon, Drewe

SUBS

Kpekewa, Potter

Att: 361

Report by Chris Williams, pictures Simon Godfrey