OXFORD City had an evening to forget in Weston-super-Mare last night.

Justin Merritt’s men were on the end of a 5-2 defeat in Vanarama National League South and had to play with ten men for 65 minutes after David King was sent off.

The result was a big blow in their bid to regain a play-off spot.

Tristan Plummer gave the hosts a tenth-minute lead from close range.

And nine minutes later, Ben Withey fired in from 25 yards.

City were then reduced to ten men when King picked up a second yellow card on 25 minutes.

Scott Wilson took advantage of a bad mistake from keeper Laurie Walker to make it 3-0 on 34 minutes.

City pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time through Jose Lapoujade.

Wilson made it 4-1 with his second on 70 minutes, only for Matt Whichelow to offer a glimmer of hope five minutes later with his first goal for City.

However, Syd Camper made it safe with a fifth.

Oxford City: Walker, Bevans, Santiago (Bubb), Henderson, Lapoujade, King, Fleet, Benjamin (McDonagh), Lafuente, Whichelow, Roberts. Subs: Arzamendi, Piffare-Forner.

Attendance: 275.