OXFORD City fell to a 3-1 defeat in Essex away at bottom side Billericay Town, leaving the Hoops in fifth, WRITES GEORGE RICKWOOD.

Two goals from Dylan Gavin and one from Michael Chambers gave the home side a 3–0 lead before Nana Owusu pulled a goal back.

Joe Iaciofano tested Zaki Oualah early on, with a powerful effort tipped around the post.

Niko Muir went close at the other end, firing an effort just over the crossbar.

Read also: Herbie Kane praises ‘desire and hunger’ as United leave it late again

Billericay used the bar to their advantage 10 minutes before the break, after a chaotic long throw and some head tennis saw the ball rebound off the woodwork out to Gavin to nod back into the City net.

The Essex side were dominant in the air all afternoon and went two up after the break when Chambers headed in from an excellent cross.

It was three before the hour mark with yet another ball in falling nicely for Gavin to lash in past Ben Dudzinski.

At 3-0 down, City began to show signs of life and grabbed a consolation as Owusu’s long-range effort found the back of the net.

City will need to arrest this slide in form under new boss Ross Jenkins when they face play-off rivals Dartford in their next league match on April 2.