Oxford City’s general manager Justin Merritt says his side’s poor disciplinary record is costing them points.

City have had a man dismissed in their last three games, with Kiko Insa red-carded for two bookings in the 4-3 defeat at North Ferriby United last weekend – their fourth Vanarama Conference North loss in a row.

Tomorrow, when they host Stalybridge Celtic at Marsh Lane, they are without Declan Benjamin who starts a three-match ban for his dismissal against Hednesford.

Alejandro-Adrian Santiago is back after serving a one-match ban for his sending off in the 2-1 loss at Lowestoft.

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Insa’s one-match ban doesn’t start until next week, but he misses out for personal reasons.

And Merritt says his players have to wise-up quickly.

“Sending-offs are costing us,” said Merritt.

“There’s no common pattern to them. Two were for two yellow cards, while Declan’s red card was for a clumsy challenge.

“No-one’s losing their rag or anything.

“We expect the players to be more disciplined.

“We want to be able to pick the same team in successive games.”

Meanwhile, Merritt is hopeful keeper Mark Scott will return from a back injury.

Justin Cerga played at North Ferriby as a one-off.

Felipe Barcelos returns after a ankle injury.

Merritt added: “Anyone can beat anyone in this league, but we have to be at our best in every game.

“We have got to get ourselves out of this slump, so we need to increase our performance levels and workrate.”

Oxford City (v Stalybridge, home): from Scott, Stonehouse, Pond, Lapoujade, Green, Rodriguez, Barcelos, Mullings, Yussuf, Winters, Wilson, Brown, Henderson, Isaac, Jackson, Del Alamo, Wilson.

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