OXFORD City claimed back-to-back wins for the first time this season with a 3-1 triumph at home to Vanarama National League South basement side Bishop’s Stortford, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

The hosts dominated throughout, taking the lead through Reece Fleet before further goals from Jefferson Louis and Jonny Giles sealed the victory

City goalkeeper Tyrell Belford, signed from Swindon Town on Friday after Jack Stevens was recalled early from his loan by parent club Oxford United, enjoyed a comfortable debut.

However, he was denied a clean sheet with the last kick of the game, as Karl Akinwande netted a consolation for the visitors.

It was the only blip in what was otherwise an exceptionally positive afternoon for Justin Merritt’s team

They had to wait until the 24th minute for their first real sight at goal, but took full advantage.

Fleet exchanged passes brilliantly with Giles before stroking the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Tom Lovelock and into the bottom corner.

Just three minutes later they doubled their advantage when Tom Winters released Louis to strike across goal and in off the base of a post.

Several chances came and went for City to extend their lead further in the opening stages of the second half.

Winters saw his close-range effort well saved by Lovelock shortly after the restart

Mike Fondop came even closer, rounding the keeper but could not hit the net from a narrow angle.

The best chance fell to Louis, who somehow fired over from six yards out after the visitors allowed the ball to bounce in the area.

But City’s third goal finally came in the 68th minute.

Giles ran rings around the Stortford defence before tucking the ball home from the narrowest of angles to seal the victory.

Akinwande did pull one back in the 93rd minute for Stortford, outmuscling Freddie Grant before poking in at the near post.

But it did little to subdue City’s celebrations as they moved further away from the foot of the table.

Oxford City: Belford, Poku, Grant, Ashby, Henderson, Cundy, Giles (MacAuley 75), Fleet, Fondop (Roberts 69), Louis, Winters (Ngathe 75). Subs not used: Ofosu, Isaac.

Attendance: 279.