Oxford City put an end to a poor spell in BGB Southern League Division 1 South & West but were far from convincing in their 2-0 win against basement boys Newport on Tuesday.
Darren Pond went close before City went a goal up on nine minutes. Keeper Sam Webb misjudged Andy Gunn's deep cross and Mark Bell headed home.
Moments later, Bell hit the outside of a post from Liam Woodruffe's centre, while Errol Telemaque was twice denied by Webb before the break.
Newport failed to trouble Steve Smith in the City goal, but for all their possession, the home side had to wait until the 88th minute to make sure of the points.
George Redknap played fellow sub Yashwa Romeo through and he slotted past Webb to take City to within a point of leaders Didcot.
Oxford C: Smith, Saulsbury, Woodruffe, Gunn, Pond, Avery, Jones, Malone, Lyon (Redknap 70), Telemaque (Romeo 70), Bell. Subs not used: Davis, Merritt, Rixon. Attendance: 199.
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