OXFORD City fell to a third successive defeat when suffering a 4-1 loss at mid-table East Thurrock United, writes PATRICK LOCK.

Mark Jones’ side conceded twice in the opening 17 minutes in the Vanarama National League South clash.

Despite Matt Paterson’s second-half goal for City, Thurrock made sure of victory with late strikes from Sam Higgins and Montel Agyemang.

The defeat leaves them seven points above the relegation zone.

But they have played a game more than some of their rivals after a number of matches were called off due to waterlogged pitches.

City went behind on 15 minutes when an unmarked Calvin Ekpetita tapped in.

He soon doubled the home side’s lead, bundling home from a corner after goalkeeper Craig King failed to keep hold of the ball.

City rallied and Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain was foiled by Lukas Lidakevicius.

Jones looked to bolster his attack with the introduction of Ezra Forde on the hour mark.

The change paid off as the substitute found Zac McEachran, who set up Paterson to curl into the far corner on 64 minutes.

City could have been level, but Lidakevicius denied Forde.

The visitors were vulnerable on the break and so it proved, when McEachran conceded a free-kick and Higgins found the corner from the set-piece with four minutes to go.

Thurrock then completed the scoring when Agyemang slotted under King.

Oxford City: King, Jones, Grant, Poku, Stevens, Oastler, McEachran, Fofana, Paterson, Pearce (Forde 60), Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Subs not used: Peake-Pijnen, Navarro, Khawaja.

Attendance: 218.