GENERAL manager Justin Merritt has vowed to do all he can to get Oxford City back into the play-off positions as they travel to Bishop’s Stortford tomorrow afternoon.

City missed the opportunity to climb back into the top five in Vanarama National League South after being beaten 2-1 at home to promotion rivals Truro City on Wednesday evening.

They found themselves 2-0 down after just 14 minutes to goals from Isaac Vassell and Matt Wright and although Marlon Jackson pulled one back before the break, they were unable to force an equaliser.

The result was a blow to City’s promotion hopes, but Merritt refused to criticise his players.

He said: “The lads gave everything they had and just came up a little short.

“We came up against one of the best teams in the league and I thought that, apart from the first 20 minutes of the game, we matched them.

“When you’re playing such a strong side you can’t afford to give them a two-goal headstart.”

With striker Conor McDonagh sustaining a torn hamstring and midfielder Declan Benjamin twisting his knee, the defeat also added to City’s injury concerns.

Ander Del Alamo, Lee Henderson (both ankle) and Kaylem Patterson (groin) are also out, while there are doubts over wingers Matt Whichelow and Kynan Isaac.

However, top scorer Bradley Bubb returns to the side after missing out on Wednesday night through injury.

While City’s play-off hopes could be rekindled with victory this weekend, Merritt acknowledged the odds are now stacked against them.

“Realistically, we’ve got to win all our games now if we want to get into the play-offs,” he said.

“We’re not out of it and we remain positive, but our task is a tough one.

“I think people maybe need to get a little bit of perspective on their expectations.

“We have no divine right to be in the top five.

“Obviously we’re going to give it everything we can, but I want the players to just be able to go out there and enjoy themselves without piling pressure on them.

“We’ve got nothing to lose now.”

TOMORROW’S SQUAD

Oxford City (v Bishop’s Stortford, away): from Walker, Stonehouse, Arzamendi, Lapoujade, Bevans, King, Santiago, Fleet, Pond, Lafuente, Whichelow, Jackson, Bubb, Pifarré, Isaac.