Hemel Hempstead 0

Oxford City 2 (Steele 29, Barcelos 74)

Oxford City gave their chances of staying in the Premier Division with a convincing win over the Tudors.

Goals from Lee Steele and strike partner Felipe Bracelos saw Mike Ford’s side move nine points clear third-from-bottom Weymouth.

City started strongly, with Steele inches away from giving them the lead early on, but was just beaten to the ball by the on-rushing Mike McEntegart in the Hemel goal.

Minutes later, Michael Lyon went on a storming run into the penalty area before finding Barcelos whose shot was cleared for a corner by the legs of the busy McEntegart.

From the resulting corner, Steele looped a superb header into the top corner to give City a deserved lead.

Hemel then put the defence under some pressure, but with Richard Peirson, Blossom, James Organ and James Clarke held firm with keeper Joe White handling well when called upon to save.

After the break, City were forced to defend, but still looked dangerous on the break.

And it was no surprise when City doubled their lead. Jerome Anderson broke down the right and found Steele who then sent Barcelos away and made no mistake beating McEntegart with a cool finish.

Shortly after this Lyon had time to pick his spot, but he cleared the keeper and the bar.

Further pressure was put on the City defence, but they held on without too much difficulty to give their survival hopes a big boost .

Oxford City: White, Peirson, Blossom, Clarke, Ballard, Organ, Lyon, Anderson (Skelton), Barcelos (Knight), Steele, Martin. Subs not used: Davis, Ford.

Attendance: 100.