MARK Jones is hoping Oxford City will build on their first victory of the season when they travel to Welling United tomorrow.

A nervy 3-2 success over Hampton & Richmond Borough on Tuesday night ended a three-game winless start to their Vanarama National League South campaign.

But the manner of the win left City’s boss with mixed emotions.

Jones saw his side lead 3-0, before conceding twice late on to set up a tense finish – something he was not impressed with.

“We made really hard work of it,” he said.

“I thought I was having a heart-attack in the last five minutes.

“We went from being in complete and utter control to not being in control at all, but at least we got the win, which was really important.”

He added: “Momentum is a big thing in football, and the fact we held on for the win will hopefully stand us in good stead for Saturday.”

Jones was delighted to give Zac McEachran his first start in midweek, and is hopeful he will continue to have more and more of an influence on the side.

The key midfielder missed a chunk of last season with a knee injury, and Jones has been easing him back into competitive football carefully so far this season.

Jones said: “It was great to Zac on the pitch for an hour.

“He hasn’t played a single 90 minutes in pre-season.

“We still must be careful with him, but we could see a lot of his quality, particularly in the second half.

“Having a fit Zac McEachran is a real boost, but we will continue to ease him back.”

Stefan Brown is a doubt after picking up a calf injury in midweek, but keeper Craig King, who collided with Joe Oastler, is expected to be fit.

“I was a long way from the incident between Craig and Joe, but I think Kingy will be fine,” he said.

“We will have to see how Stef Brown is. I don’t think it was too serious, but he felt a bit of tightness in his calf, so we will assess that.”

He added: “Welling will be a tough place to go.

“We always have a difficult game there, but we just must focus on our own performance.

“We’ve had four games in ten days, so there are a few tired legs, but hopefully we will be refreshed and go to Welling with some enthusiasm.”

Oxford City (v Welling Utd, away): from King, Jones, Jefford, Ashby, Moore-Azille, Oastler, Fleet, Brown, McEachran, Owusu, Self, Fasanmade, Wiltshire, Rowe, Tapp, Caro.