JOSE Lapoujade’s second-half strike earned Oxford City a hard-fought 1-0 win at Maidstone United in Vanarama National League South.

In a match of few chances, the Spanish full-back’s effort on the hour mark ultimately proved the difference, following an uneventful first half.

The victory preserves City's unbeaten start to the season and they sit fifth in the table, with seven points from three games.

Although it was City who started on the front foot, it was the home side who came closest to breaking the deadlock before half-time.

Jay May had the ball in the back of the net for Maidstone when he turned and struck past goalkeeper Laurie Walker from close range in the 16th minute, but his celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.

Bradley Bubb, on target in both of City’s previous matches, went closest for the visitors before the break.

However, after racing onto Kynan Isaac’s through ball, he found his route to goal blocked by the legs of goalkeeper Lee Worgan.

Carlos Pifarré would have opened his account for City if not for the timely intervention of defender Callum Driver, cutting out Luke Coulson’s searching cross before the Spaniard could turn it in at the back post.

Jack Paxman should have scored shortly before the break when he robbed Alejandro-Adrian Santiago of the ball in front of goal, but the Maidstone attacker lashed his effort into the side netting.

The breakthrough finally came just before the hour mark when the ball fell to Lapoujade on the left-hand corner of the hosts’ penalty area.

He struck a fierce low shot which evaded everyone in the crowded box to sneak inside the far post.

Ten minutes later, City had a brace of chances to seal victory, which they were unable to convert.

First, substitute Jamal Lawrence slid the ball past the onrushing Worgan, only to see his effort cleared behind and to safety before it could cross the line.

The resulting corner came out to Santiago on the edge of the penalty area, but after his strike was blocked, Lapoujade fired over Worgan’s crossbar.

The hosts failed to effectively mount any pressure on the City goal in the closing stages and the away side were able to comfortably see the game out to complete back-to-back victories on the road.

Oxford City: Walker, Coulson, Lapoujade, Del Alamo, Arzamendi, Santiago Isaac (Lawrence 57), Pond, Bubb, Fleet (Benjamin 83), Pifarré (Lafuente HT). Subs not used: Henderson, Hill.

Referee: C Brook.

Attendance: 2,037.