Oxford City could never recover from conceding an early goal as they lost 3-0 at home to Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday.

The victory maintained the visitors’ record as the only unbeaten side in Vanarama National League South.

The hosts fell behind after just three minutes when Alfie Rutherford fired home.

Roarie Deacon doubled their lead on the half-hour, with Wes Fogden making it 3-0 five minutes into the second period, with City goalkeeper Craig King already off injured.

The hosts, who recalled Zac McEachran to their starting line-up, conceded an early corner which was played in by Nicky Bailey for Deacon to head at goal.

King kept out his effort, but Rutherford was on hand to tap home the rebound.

Joe Oastler went close with a header from a City corner ten minutes later, before the sides traded long-range efforts which were both comfortably held by the goalkeepers.

However, just past the half-hour mark the visitors made it 2-0 when Deacon picked the ball up just outside the area before firing into the net.

Kyran Wiltshire should have pulled a goal back moments later, but after beating the offside trap, his attempted lob missed the target.

Jack Self went close just before the break as City pushed forward.

However, they were dealt a blow on the stroke of half-time when King bravely denied Rutherford, but picked up an injury which forced him to come off at the interval.

The first job of his replacement, Steven Caro, was to pick the ball out the net when Fogden slammed home.

McEachran and Wiltshire both went close to reducing the deficit for City, who poured forward looking for a way back into the game.

And to compound their misery, when McEachran did find the net in injury time, it was ruled out for offside.

City host Weymouth tomorrow evening, bidding to get back on track.

Oxford City: King (Caro HT), Jones, Jefford, Ashby, Moore-Azille, Oastler, Wiltshire (Fasanmade 63), Fleet, Brown, McEachran, Self (Owusu 63). Subs not used: Wright, Tapp.

Attendance: 357