OXFORD City sealed back-to-back victories in Vanarama National League South with an eventful 2-1 triumph over St Albans City.

Despite seeing Matt Paterson fail to score a late penalty and reserve goalkeeper Alex Grantham forced to play up front for the final ten minutes, Mark Jones’s side held on for a valuable success.

City dominated the first half, Paterson and Josh Ashby going close.

The hosts went ahead on 25 minutes when Reece Fleet did well to find Paterson, and the striker made no mistake.

The joy of the goal, however, was tempered somewhat by the loss of Ashby, who limped off to be replaced by Kyran Wiltshire.

Rob Sinclair and Kabongo Tshimanga had opportunities to double City’s lead, but could not find the net.

St Albans came out all guns blazing after half-time, forcing home goalkeeper Craig King to make a first save of the match from Ben Herd’s shot.

Zane Banton began to look dangerous for the visitors, forcing an excellent last-ditch tackle from Joe Oastler on 51 minutes before drawing the very best out of King a minute later.

Jones replaced debutant Arti Krasniqi with his final outfield substitute Craig Fassanmade ten minutes after the break.

St Albans levelled from a corner on 61 minutes, Richard Sho-Silva rising to head in.

But City soon retook the lead, Sinclair’s pass allowing Fleet to slot home seven minutes later.

With ten minutes to go, the hosts were hit by injury when Sinclair went down, and were forced to bring on reserve goalkeeper Grantham.

It was the substitute’s decoy run that allowed Fassanmade to charge through the middle on 87 minutes, before he was brought down in the box.

Paterson’s penalty was saved, but City held on for victory.

Oxford City: King, Jones, Krasniqi (Fassanmade 55), Ashby (Wiltshire 28), Godwin-Malife, Oastler, McEachran, Fleet, Paterson, Sinclair (Grantham 80), Tshimanga.

Attendance: 323.