OXFORD City went down to a 1-0 defeat at home to East Thurrock United in Vanarama National League South after conceding late on, writes MATTHEW BRUCE

Justin Meritt’s side came within 11 minutes of their first clean sheet of the season, only for James Walker to strike for the visitors and extend the hosts’ winless run to six games.

That followed numerous missed chances from the home side.

City could have taken the lead just two minutes in when captain Scott Davies fired a shot just inches wide from outside the box.

Tom Winters was also a whisker away with a fabulous 25-yard strike shortly afterwards.

But it was Oxford United loanee James Roberts who finally tested goalkeeper Lukas Lidakevicius with a powerful shot from the edge of the area, which the Thurrock stopper was forced to push away from goal.

City had two more glorious opportunities in the opening minutes of the second half.

Winters seized on some hesitant defending two minutes after the restart to tee up Shaun MacAuley, whose effort was straight at the onrushing goalkeeper.

MacAuley was denied again moments later when he connected with a Winters cross only to see his effort blocked, with Mike Fondop heading the rebound straight at Lidakevicius.

Although the visitors occasionally looked threatening, it was not until the 64th minute that City keeper Jack Stevens was called into action, palming away Tom Wraight’s long-distance effort.

At the other end, Roberts should have broken the deadlock when he raced onto a superb through ball, sliding the ball past the keeper, but the wrong side of the upright.

And 11 minutes from time City were undone when Wraight tore up the left wing before squaring the ball for the unmarked Walker to smash home from six yards.

Oxford City: Stevens, Poku (Ngathe 83), Isaac, Davies (Ofosu 83), Henderson, Cundy, Giles, MacAuley (Ashby 83), Fondop, Roberts, Winters. Subs not used: Fleet, Grant.

Attendance: 267.