OXFORD City lost their 100 per cent away record with a 3-1 defeat at pre-season favourites FC Halifax Town in Blue Square Bet North on Saturday.

Following wins on the road against Gloucester and Solihull Moors, City travelled to Yorkshire looking to add to their tally.

And they got off to a cracking start by taking the lead in the third minute from their first attack.

Halifax’s defence failed to deal with Jamie Cook’s right-wing cross, and Chris Willmott drove the ball home.

However, City’s lead was short-lived as Dale Johnson converted a cross two minutes later to bring the sides level.

City then had a let-off as Lee Gregory rounded Warren Carter, but Adam Learoyd got back to clear his shot off the line.

Halifax looked the more dangerous, and Carter made two decent blocks to prevent the Shaymen from taking the lead.

At the other end, Cook attempted to chip the advancing Matt Glennon, but his effort drifted wide, while Halifax scambled away Jack Mills’s free-kick for a corner.

City fell behind though in first-half stoppage time when Paul Marshall gained possesion from Darren Pond, and fired a 20-yard drive beyond Warren Carter. Halifax who held the upper hand in the second half, governing the pace of the game as City struggled to find any fluency.

Goalkeeper Matt Glennon was rarely troubled, and Halifax made sure of the points on 62 minutes when Johnson fired home for his second after Carter parried a shot.

Oxford City: Carter, Pond, Learoyd, Malone, Willmott, Mills, Ballard, Isaac (Skendi 45), Sharif (Basham 65), Cook (Barcelos 52), Stonehouse. Sub not used: Gunn.

Referee: S Oldham (Poulton- Le-Fylde). Attendance: 1,172.