OXFORD City suffered a fourth straight Vanarama National League South defeat when they went down 2-1 away to Hemel Hempstead Town on Saturday.

A second-half onslaught from Mark Jones’s side was ultimately in vain as first-half goals from James Kaloczi and Phil Roberts gave the hosts victory.

Zac McEachran’s header did give City hope in the second period, but they were unable to find an equaliser.

The visitors were handed a boost before kick-off with the return of Rob Sinclair from injury after a six-week absence, but it was Hemel who started the better, Billy Clifford shooting wide.

City went close when Sinclair was fouled just outside the box, but Matt Paterson’s free-kick went over the bar.

The hosts took the lead on 26 minutes when, from a corner, the ball was not cleared and Kaloczi fired home.

Five minutes later it was 2-0.

With the City defence appealing in vain for offside, Steve Cawley broke through and crossed to the far post where an unmarked Roberts finished with ease.

Jones’s side almost pulled a goal back when home defender Ismael Yakubu sliced a clearance inches over his own bar.

Two minutes later, a Sinclair shot was brilliantly saved by former City keeper Laurie Walker and just as Paterson was about to slot home the rebound, a last-gasp tackle denied him.

McEachran and Joe Oastler went close without success before the break, and City started the second half on the front foot.

Reece Fleet tested Walker with a long-range strike, before the visitors did get the goal their play deserved when McEachran headed home on 68 minutes.

City were flooding forward and Paterson had two good chances to level, only to twice be denied – once by Kaloczi on the line and then by Walker.

The visitors still had time for one last opportunity, however, with McEachran firing in a shot in the 89th-minute that Walker did well to push wide to ensure City went through September without picking up a point in the league.

Oxford City: King, Jones (Wiltshire HT), Jefford, Ashby, Ruddick, Oastler, McEachran, Fleet, Paterson, Tshimanga, Sinclair (Fasanmade 61). Subs not used: Caro, Eze, Carter.