ROSS Jenkins reckons visiting Gateshead were the best team his Oxford City side have faced in the Vanarama National League so far this season.

The division’s top scorer Marcus Dinanga grabbed a brace, taking his tally to 11 goals for the season, before visiting skipper Greg Olley and substitute Connor McBride added the third and fourth of the night for the away side.

The final goal highlighted Gateshead’s class, as they played the ball down the right-hand side with some clever interplay, before teeing up McBride for a smart finish.

Read our match report here

After the game, Hoops head coach Jenkins was full of praise for the Tynesiders, who stretched their unbeaten run to seven games.

The former Watford midfielder said: “They were brilliant and probably the best team we’ve played so far. Some of the football they played was outstanding.

“We weren’t good enough and they were very good, very sharp and very good in possession. We struggled to cope with it at times.

“We had a couple of chances to score but we didn’t take those. They took theirs and they took them in a good manner.

“No arguments at all tonight – we were beaten by the better team and we hold our hands up.”

Jenkins added: “There are some really good teams in the league and we witnessed one tonight. All the fans can see how good they were.

“It’s a tough one to take in terms of the scoreline, but in terms of the opposition we’re facing, it’s a different calibre now.

“We need to learn quickly. We’re still learning as a team and learning how everyone plays.

“I thought tonight we played one of the best footballing teams. I’ve watched everyone and they’re up there, so I won’t be surprised if they do that again next week.

“Four-nil looks damaging but I thought Gateshead were superb.

“It doesn’t look particularly great at times, when you lose 4-0, but I think if I knew we were at our maximum, then it’s a tough one.

“I don’t think we retained the ball well enough tonight. There were too many turnovers and sloppy passes.

“It was so unlike us and it’s a little bit frustrating as I know we can play better than that. We’ve demonstrated this season already we can play much better than that.

“To beat Boreham Wood 4-0 at home is a tough thing to do, but we did it.

“Tonight, we were just outclassed by some real quality they’ve got, with some good structure and a good manager.

“We were second best, but there are no complaints.”