Felipe Barcelos scored one goal and set up another as City moved further way from the Zamaretto Southern League Premier Division drop zone with a battling 2-1 victory at play-off chasers Chippenham on Saturday.

But the gloss was taken off the victory when former Oxford United midfielderr Dave Savage was stretchered off with a serious ankle injury.

With several key players injured – Lee Steele, Craig McIlwain, Jamie Organ – manager Mike Ford again looked to youth in the shape of Barcelos and Kynan Isaac.

James Faulkner returned to the side to partner Barcelos in an unusual 3-5-2 formation.

Michael Lyon returned with Jerome Anderson given a place on the bench after a month long lay-off.

Both sides showed attacking prowess early on, with Ashley Kington and Faulkner both forcing saves from Chippenham’s keeper Chris Snoddy.

At the other end, the hosts had an effort ruled out for handball.

The rest of the first half was played in midfield, the flow being disrupted by the referee’s whistle.

City raced out of the blocks in the second half.

They were rewarded in the 48th minute when Barcelos netted his first senior goal with a driven free-kick.

Four minutes later, a mis-kick by a Chippenham defender allowed Faulkner to feed Barcelos down the line.

He beat one man before pulling the ball back for Lyon to drive home.

Barcelos limped off later in the match to be replaced by Anderson.

Chippenham pulled one back through Lewis Powell with a low drive to the left of City keeper Jakub Jesionkowski.

But despite Savage’s injury, City held on for a valuable victory.

Oxford City: Jesionkowski, Blossom, Clarke, Peirson, Lyon, Kington, Savage (Morris 79), Malone, Isaac, Barcelos (Anderson 72), Faulkner. Subs not used: Knight, Hughes.

Attendance 367.