Justin Merritt says Oxford City must improve in front of goal at Marsh Lane to keep their Vanarama Conference North play-off challenge alive, writes Matthew Bruce.

City’s strike rate is spectacular on the road, with an incredible 50 goals scored from their 20 league games, but they are a different prospect at home, netting just 24 times.

Recent home games against Bradford Park Avenue and Boston United are a telling example, with just one goal scored.

In contrast, City racked up 12 against the same opponents on their travels, leaving Merritt to ponder his side’s cautiousness at home.

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He said: “We know the playing surface doesn’t help us, but I think also teams set up differently away from home.

“We’ve seen recently with Bradford and Boston that teams will set themselves up to be difficult to play against and we need to find a way to counter that.”

City are at home to Harrogate Town tomorrow as they look to close in on fifth-placed Guiseley, who are four points clear.

The visitors are 13th in the table and have little to play for in their final three matches, but Merritt has warned his side not to take them lightly.

“Harrogate are under no pressure and so they’re playing for themselves, which can give you a bit of freedom,” said Merritt.

“They’re going to make it tough for us, because no one wants their season to go flat.

“We’re feeling confident and we know we’ve got to win the game.

We’re favourites and rightly so.”

Merritt added: “We’re going into the last few games with something to play for and we’re just hoping we can sneak in the back door.

“It’s three cup finals and we’ve just got to try and win every game and see where it takes us.”

City are without the injured Darren Pond (ankle), Darren Mullings (thigh) and Javier Rodriguez (Achilles tendonitis), while defender Lee Henderson is also a doubt with a shoulder injury.

TOMORROW’S SQUAD

Oxford City (v Harrogate Tn, home): from Salva, Coulson, Benjamin, Stonehouse, Santiago, Lapoujade, Henderson, Fofana, Balmy, Wilson, Yussuf, Scott, Barcelos, Winters, Del Alamo, Jackson.

REMAINING FIXTURES

Boston United (67 pts): April 11 v Stalybridge Celtic, away; April 18 v Solihull Moors, away; April 25 v Leamington, home.

Guiseley (66 pts): April 11 v Bradford Park Avenue, away; April 18 v Chorley, home; April 21 v North Ferriby United, home; April 25 v Oxford City, away.

Tamworth (63 pts): April 11 v Leamington, home; April 18 v Barrow, away; April 25 v Hyde, home.

Oxford City (62 pts): April 11 v Harrogate Town, home; April 18 v Gainsborough Trinity, away; April 25 v Guiseley, home.