ROSS Jenkins hopes Oxford City’s defeat in the FA Trophy can spur them on when they return to league action tonight.

The Hoops crashed out of the Trophy on penalties, after a 1-1 draw at home to Plymouth Parkway.

Joe Iaciofano had put City ahead 10 minutes into the second half but a goal from Harrison King 15 minutes from time sent the tie to penalties.

Ben Dudzinski saved Parkway’s first spot-kick but Reece Fleet also saw his penalty saved.

Canice Carroll hit City’s fourth penalty against the crossbar, with Parkway going on to win the shoot-out.

Attention now turns to the visit of Dartford, third in Vanarama National League South.

A win for the Kent side could send them top of the table, but Jenkins is confident City can go up against the best teams in the division.

The Hoops head coach said: “It’s actually done us good to have a wake-up call against Plymouth.

“I think our performances have been really good but that’s just shaken us up a little bit.

“We’re going to use that as a positive going into Dartford, and hopefully get a good reaction.

“Nobody likes getting knocked out of a competition, it hurts and we’ve got to use that for ammunition.

“If you put two or three good wins together, then you’re right in the mix of it.

“I think we’re in a good position right now, a good win would make us feel good, make the table look good and make the fans feel good – that’s what we’ve got to aim for.

“We know we can go toe to toe with some of the best, we went to Fleetwood and in the second half, put a really good performance in.”

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Dartford visit Court Place Farm off the back of successive defeats.

A 3-1 loss against Farnborough in the league was followed up with by a 4-0 defeat at Swindon Supermarine in the FA Trophy.

Jenkins though is wary of a reaction from Dartford this evening.

He said: “They’re a team not to take lightly, and think we’re going to roll them over because they’ve lost the last two.

“They’re ready to go again and put a real good performance in, and put them two games right.

“We’ve got to be careful and watch out for that, but at the same time, if we stick to our principles with how we want to play, then we’ll be absolutely fine.”

On City’s FA Trophy exit, Jenkins said: “I watched it back, and we dominated the game as we normally do.

“We kept the ball really well, we made them chase and work.

“On reflection, it wasn’t as bad as I first thought, but at the same time, we do need to do better.”