City's hopes of a place in the Ryman League Full Members Cup final were wrecked in last night's semi-final when their young team conceded three early goals against Premier Division Purfleet.

Although they rallied strongly in the second period, the game's big talking point surrounded an astonishing decision by a referee's assistant to allow Purfleet's opener in the seventh minute.

The linesman first raised his flag to signal the ball had gone out direct from a corner, and then as it drifted back into play Craig Farley headed off the line. The assistant then ruled that Heighway's header had crossed the line.

All City's protests were in vain and they were still arguing when in Purfleet's next attack a mix-up at the back gifted Blunden No 2.

City's problems deepened in the 16th minute when Keeley scored from six yards after a long throw from Carthy had evaded the defence.

It looked as though City were in for a hiding but they fought back to cause the visitors lots of problems, and in the 57th minute, a splendid free kick from Matty Whitehead reduced the arrears.

With 15 minutes left, only a saving header from Purdie denied City a second, and another 25 yard thunderbolt from Whitehead shaved the post with Pashley well beaten.

Oxford C: Foster, Farley, Gray, Peirson, Smith, Whitehead, Sweeney (Wise 63), Ferreria (Hewlett 76)h, Druce, Strong (McMahon 70), Wimble.

Referee: P Armstrong.

*City complete their Ryman League Division 1 programme with a home game against Northwood tomorrow.