OXFORD City began life in the Vanarama National League with a crushing 5-2 defeat away against Aldershot Town.

Josh Parker scored the Hoops’ first ever goal at the level, cancelling out Jack Barham’s early opener.

However, the home side added goals via Haji Mnoga and Lorent Tolaj to lead 3-1 at half-time.

Josh Stokes added a fourth for the Shots just two minutes into the second period, with Tolaj completing his double at the death.

There was still time though for Parker to get his brace during stoppage time.

READ ALSO: Our player ratings as Oxford United begin the season with a defeat

Hoops head coach Ross Jenkins named a familiar looking side, with Nya Kirby the sole debutant.

Fellow summer signings Marcin Brzozowski, Tafari Moore and Pierre Fonkeu were included on the bench.

Canice Carroll came close to an opener, but his header was hooked away by the home defence.

The Shots took the lead when Aaron Jones took advantage of a loose touch by Lewis Coyle and crossed for Barham to fire home with 13 minutes played.

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Just before the half hour mark, Alfie Potter intercepted a mistake in the backline and drove into the penalty area.

The 34-year-old kept his composure to round goalkeeper Jordi van Stappershoef and tee up Parker for a tap-in.

Debutant Kirby looked to put City ahead with a dipping effort from outside the box, however it drifted over the crossbar.

Six minutes after Parker’s equaliser, the home side regained the lead.

The Hoops failed to clear their lines from a corner, with Mnoga slamming the ball past Chris Haigh.

Goalkeeper Haigh then tipped a Tolaj effort around the post, although the 21-year-old Swiss did get on the scoresheet when he tapped home after a surging run from Barham late in first half stoppage time.

The Shots all but ensured themselves of three points just two minutes into the second period.

Former Crystal Palace and Cardiff City midfielder Stuart O’Keefe stole the ball in the middle of the park and slid Barham in on goal.

He then squared the ball for Stokes for another close-range finish.

The hosts made it five when Tolaj fired past Haigh following a rapid counter-attack.

Parker though added a consolation late on when he stabbed home after good work on the right from Aaron Williams-Bushell.

After the game, Jenkins told the Hoops’ YouTube channel: “In terms of the actual game, the first 15 to 20 minutes, I was pretty happy with it.

“We conceded a goal that was very unlike us, that was a sloppy moment.

“A good comeback to get a decent goal, and make it 1-1 and we thought ‘let’s kick on now’ but I just thought it was a little bit sloppy.

“I’d look at their goals and say I don’t really think they’ve earned their goals.

“The goals are disappointing from our view, we can prevent them most definitely.

“That’s something we need to address but in terms of our first game in the division, we saw some promising signs.

“There’s loads of positives to take and it gives a good reflection of where we are, and we’re not a million miles away.”

He added: “It might take three, four, five or six games but I know what these boys can do.

“You don’t get promoted from not winning games of football and being serial winners.

“Not winning the game does hurt us, so the boys are hurting but they understand we’re better than that.

“We can prevent some of those goals, it’s just maybe a bit of sloppiness or switching off at times, but that’s something we can correct.

“I don’t think it was a 5-2 game if I’m being honest but we’ve got to defend our box and just be a little better.

“It’s not doom and gloom, it’s the first game of the season in a league we’ve never been in.

“We’re all learning but the most promising and pleasing thing is that we tried to get the ball down and play our staff, and we’ll continue to do that.”

Jenkins confirmed Zac McEachran missed the game through illness.

He said: “He had a virus and that’s pretty much it.

“People get sick and he’s had the virus for a couple of weeks now, and probably wasn’t strong enough to play.

“The best thing is to rest up and get back next week.”