OXFORD City were made to pay for spurning several glorious chances as they were beaten 2-1 by Colwyn Bay at Court Place Farm in Blue Sqaue Bet North on Saturday, writes Jack Johnson.

An unstoppable effort from Gareth Evans gave the visitors the lead just before half-time and Jamie Rainford doubled their advantage from the penalty spot. City found a way back into the match through Adam Learoyd, but were unable to find an equaliser.

Nabil Sharif could have given City the lead after just two minutes as he headed Jack Mills’s cross wide from five yards, while Declan Benjamin fired over from the edge of the penalty area.

Colwyn Bay began to play the better football, but Sharif’s pace caught out the defensive pairing of Danny Meadowcroft and John McKenna on 30 minutes, and Chris Sanna was forced to come off his line to deny the striker.

The visitors began to create openings, but Matt Ingram remained untroubled until he was beaten in the 42nd minute by a blistering drive from Evans from the edge of the penalty area.

City looked to change things at half-time with Andy Ballard and Jamie Cook replacing Benjamin and Nick Stanley. Chris Willmott headed Ballard’s long throw against a post, but Sharif put the rebound wide from two yards.

Cook then went through on goal only to have his shot saved by Sanna.

As City continued to attack, Sharif’s shot was saved by Sanna and Colwyn Bay broke.

Cameron Darkwah raced down the left into the area and was brought down by substitute Jacob Walcott.

Rainford confidently dispatched the penalty past the despairing hands of Ingram to make it 2-0 after 67 minutes.

Mike Ford’s men continued to search for a goal, however, and they got their reward just two minutes later.

Ballard’s long throw caused problems and after McKenna headed against his own bar, Learoyd was on hand to smash home from five yards.

Cook headed over from Paul Stonehouse’s cross, before Sharif was booked for diving as he tangled with McKenna in the penalty area.

City’s best chance came in the last minute.

Ballard’s long throw fell to the feet of Mills who, looking certain to equalise, fired wide.

Oxford City: Ingram, Mills, Learoyd, Willmott, Stonehouse, Benjamin (Ballard HT), Malone, Pond, Stanley (Cook HT), Basham (Walcott 61), Sharif. Subs not used: Gunn, Skendi.

Attendance: 243.

Referee: A Quelch.