Oxford City swept aside Vanarama Conference North play-off rivals Hednesford Town 2-0 on Saturday to rekindle their promotion challenge, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

Luke Coulson and Adi Yussuf scored either side of half-time win it for a dominant City who stay five points behind fifthplaced Boston United.

City started brightly, but they almost found themselves behind inside ten minutes when a misplaced pass from Ander Del Alamo put Glenn Walker through, but his effort was blocked.

Mamadou Fofana was inches away from a spectacular opener for City, sending a fierce effort narrowly wide from 30 yards.

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The hosts were beginning to mount some pressure midway through the half when City made the breakthrough with a devastating break.

French midfielder Jeremy Balmy, making his debut on loan from Oxford United, unlocked the defence with a delightful crossfield pass It found the unmarked Coulson, who unleashed a powerful drive into the far corner of the net.

City had the ball in the net a second time eight minutes later.

Tom Winters picked out Yussuf in the box with a dangerous cross and when his header was tipped onto the bar by goalkeeper Dan Crane, Marlon Jackson tapped in the rebound, only to see the flag raised for offside.

Ten minutes into the second half, City did claim their second when Yussuf beat the offside trap to latch onto a Winters flick-on before coolly slotting home for his 24th league goal of the season.

The dominant visitors carved out several chances to further their lead while rarely looking troubled at the other end.

Crane was again called into action on the hour, reacting well to stop Jose Lapoujade’s volley.

He was on hand again to keep out Winters as City cut through the Hednesford backline once more.

Yussuf dispossessed Jordan Tunnicliffe before setting Winters away only to see his effort blocked by the onrushing Crane.

Lapoujade was denied again 15 minutes from time, rising highest to head powerfully from a corner and forcing a sprawling save from Crane as City kept their play-off dream alive.

Oxford City: Salva, Coulson, Lapoujade, Del Alamo, Henderson, Santiago, Jackson, Fofana, Yussuf (Wilson 75), Balmy (Benjamin, 68), Winters(Barcelos 80). Subs not used: Stonehouse, Scott.

Attendance: 520.