Oxford City manager Justin Merritt has praised the efforts of his players in their derby victory against Abingdon United - and urged them to keep up the good work at home to Beaconsfield in Southern League Division 1 South & West tomorrow.

Tuesday's 2-1 victory ended a run of five successive defeats to give Merritt his first win as City boss.

"It's a real weight off the shoulders," admitted Merritt, who had to send out a patched-up side due to an accident on the A34 delaying three of the players.

"It was a good performance considering we had to juggle the side around a bit.

"Mike Ford made a difference. He organised people and used his experience.

"I think it helped after two heavy defeats to have a local derby. If you can't motivate yourself for that, then you have problems.

"I was really pleased for the players because everybody did their jobs. If we can do that as a team we will win more games than we lose.

"The last time we played Beaconsfield we put in a really poor performance. Andy Lyne resigned after the game.

"The players feel they owe it to the club to put on a good performance."

City are boosted by the return of the fit-again duo of on-loan Oxford United striker Billy Beechers and defender Lewis Craker. Mark Avery is also back after being unavailable for Tuesday's game.

Merritt added: "We are now looking to push on. But we realise that there is still a lot of work to do."

Didcot Town are boosted by the return of the fit-again Andrew Gunn and Andy Parrott when they host Marlow.

They both missed the midweek win against Burnham.

Gunn, who is on loan from Oxford United, was injured while training with the U's, while Parrott was ruled out by work commitments.

Striker Ian Concannon (hamstring) is doubtful.

Didcot are holding a collection at the game in aid of defender Danny Campbell, who has leukaemia.

Abingdon United, who will be at full strength when they visit Hillingdon Borough, will have to wait until a league meeting on December 20 to find out whether their 3-0 win against Swindon Supermarine will be ratified.

The game was abandoned in injury time due to floodlight failure.

Banbury United are without Andy Baird for their trip to Cheshunt in the Premier Division.

The striker is away in Edinburgh, though he was a doubt after being kicked in the throat during Tuesday's 3-3 draw with King's Lynn. Wayne Blossom (pictured) replaces him.