INJURY-HIT Oxford City crumbled to a third successive defeat, going down at Bishop’s Stortford to fall to ninth in Vanarama National League South, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

With several key players missing, City were able to name just three substitutes, including a first appearance for young winger Tyriq Hunte.

Corby Moore put the home side ahead before the break and substitute Bradley Fortnum-Tomlinson netted twice in five second-half minutes to strike another blow to City’s faltering play-off hopes.

However, it could have been so different if Alejandro-Adrian Santiago’s eighth-minute opener had been allowed to stand.

The City centre back knocked in the rebound after Paul Stonehouse’s effort had clipped the bar, but his celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.

The breakthrough, in the 32nd minute, came against the run of play.

Goalkeeper Laurie Walker did exceptionally well to stop two shots from Moore, but the City defence were slow to react, allowing him a third opportunity to tap in with the keeper lying prone on the ground.

The home side poured forward in search of a second after the break, but they had to wait until the 74th minute to extend their lead.

Fortnum-Tomlinson had been on the field less than ten minutes when he raced clear of a sluggish City backline before coolly rolling home.

He doubled his tally just five minutes later when he was allowed a free header at the back post, putting the final touches on a miserable afternoon for City, who drop to ninth.

Oxford City: Walker, Bevans (Lafuente 66), Lapoujade, Fleet, King, Henderson (Arzamendi HT), Jackson, Pond, Bubb, Santiago, Stonehouse (Hunte 76).

Attendance: 332.