Oxford City had their goalkeeper sent off for the third time in four Vanarama Conference North matches as they thrashed host local rivals Brackley Town 5-0 in a remarkable clash on Saturday.

The scoreline was even more incredible, as four of the goals came after City keeper Mark Scott had been sent off in the 39th minute, leaving midfielder Declan Benjamin in goal for the second match running.

Adi Yussuf netted a hattrick alongside goals from captain Darren Pond and exBrackley winger Tom Winters as City routed their hosts The hosts were also reduced to ten men midway through the second half as defender Dwayne Samuels was shown red.

City went ahead in just the seventh minute when Marlon Jackson’s cross snuck through a crowded box and was touched in by Yussuf.

Matters took a turn for the worse for City shortly before half-time when, for the third time in the last four matches, they had to resort to fielding an outfield player in goal following a red card for the goalkeeper.

Scott and Brackley striker David Moyo went for a loose ball and although the City stopper appeared to get there first, referee Rob EllisMassey adjudged him to have infringed and brandished the red card.

Benjamin was again chosen to go in goal and for the second match in succession kept a clean sheet.

There was no way back for Brackley after Pond doubled City’s advantage in the 66th minute, finishing off a glorious passing move to slot past former Oxford United keeper Billy Turley.

The dismissal of Samuels for tripping Yussuf as he raced through on goal restored numerical parity, and substitute Winters made it 3-0 from the resulting free-kick with a beautiful left-footed shot into the top corner.

Winters was instrumental again in City’s fourth, beating his man and running to the bye-line before cutting back for the unmarked Yussuf to tap home.

And deep into injury time Yussuf completed his hattrick in comical fashion.

He picked up a long ball on halfway line before strolling unopposed into the Brackley penalty area, dumping Turley on his backside with a cheeky feint and rolling the ball over the line.

Oxford City: Scott, Coulson, Stonehouse (Santiago 68), Fofana, Henderson, Lapoujade, Jackson, Pond, Yussuf, Rodriguez (Winters 54), Benjamin. Subs not used: Wilson, Barcelos, Del Alamo.

Attendance: 305.