Oxford City manager Mike Ford is already looking forward to next season after seeing his side escape the drop from Skrill North.

City were beaten 2-1 by Brackley Town, but their safety was secured by Histon’s 3-1 defeat at Gainsborough Trinity.

“I’m pleased for the club that we are still in the Conference,” said Ford. “I work for a fantastic club. I’ve had unstinting support from Colin (Taylor, managing director) and Brian (Cox, chairman).

“A lot of clubs might have thought about changing the manager part-way through the season, but they didn’t because they know how hard I’ve worked for this club and I’ve done a good job.”

But Ford plans to do things differently in the next campaign.

"We just all need to sit down and work out what we’re going to do,” he said. “It’s just been a really difficult season, there’s been no continuity at all.

“We’ve got to come back for pre-season, knowing what we’re going to do and how we’re going to do it, get everyone to buy into it and let me get on with running the team.”