ANDY Ballard is looking for a reaction from Oxford City when they travel to Billericay Town in Vanarama National League South tomorrow.

City led three times against basement boys St Albans on Tuesday, but were pegged back on each occasion in a 3-3 draw.

And interim manager Ballard believes it was a case of two points dropped.

He said: “We started really well against St Albans and had a couple of other chances to score before they equalised for the first time.

“There’s no doubt we are struggling a bit defensively at the moment.

“We’re scoring goals regularly, but we’re having trouble keeping clean sheets, which is really coming back to haunt us.”

Despite the disappointing result, Ballard is hoping for a more positive return in Essex against a side that have also been shipping goals in recent weeks.

He added: “We know Billericay are a decent side, but similar to us, they’re on a poor run of conceding goals.

“Had we won in midweek, we would have been up to eighth or ninth, but at least it was another point that took us away from the bottom places.

“With a busy Christmas coming up, if we can pick up some good wins, we can hopefully start looking upwards.”

Meanwhile, City have signed AJ George from Chippenham Town.

The attacking midfielder and former Oxford United player joined before Tuesday’s clash and Ballard is pleased to have captured his signature.

He said: “AJ is an ex-Oxford player and is a local lad. He lives about two minutes from the club and he’s a good signing for us.

“He’s of the age and ability to add something to the squad in terms of attacking intent. He gives us a style of play that we haven’t got at the moment and is high energy.”

Kyran Lofthouse and Kevin Berkoe have had their loan extensions from United confirmed for another two months, and are both in the squad.

Ben Jefford returns from suspension, but Eddie Jones, who has had an operation on a troublesome hip injury, is ruled out.

TOMORROW’S SQUAD

Oxford City (v Billericay Tn, away): from King, Jefford, Ashby, Oastler, Wiltshire, Fleet, McEachran, Berkoe, Rowe, Lofthouse, Gordon, Tapp, Moore-Azille, Benyon, Owusu, George, Brown.