Oxford City manager Mike Ford has expressed his sympathy to Declan Benjamin after the midfielder was denied a hat-trick against Swindon Supermarine – by the referee.

The former Oxford United youngster had scored twice to put City in the driving seat and was looking forward to taking the matchball home when he found the net just after the half-hour mark.

But much to Benjamin’s dismay, the referee awarded a penalty for an earlier offence.

Ahead of tonight’s Premier Division game against Stourbridge at Court Place Farm, Ford said: “The penalty decision was a strange one.

“Declan had scored a goal for his hat-trick and then the ref brought it back for a penalty, which Steve Basham then put away. So I’m a bit disappointed for Declan.”

Ford said he was delighted with his side’s application in the 4-2 win.

He added: “I thought we were very clinical in the first half.

“It was quite funny because at training on Thursday we were discussing how we weren’t shooting enough.

“I think we did take our foot off the gas after the break because I was concerned that one of my players was going to be sent off because I thought the Swindon players were trying to run the game.

“I took Aaron Woodley off because he was booked for nothing and I didn’t want to riask losing him for three matches.

“I thought we showed good discipline, but the attitude of their players were dreadful.

“I have got no sympathy for their plight because of the way they conducted themselves.

“It was a fantastic result because they had won their last two games.”

Meanwhile, Ford feels his side faces one of the toughest tests of the season against seventh-placed Stourbridge.

“On their day they are the best side in this division,” said Ford.

“I know they have had a bit of a wobble, because they lost their top striker to Kidderminster Harriers.

“But they won 5-0 on Saturday, so we have to make sure to get the fundamentals right.”

Abingdon United boss Richie Bourne has applauded his side’s efforts against leaders Bideford and asked for more of the same against Gosport Borough tonight.

“It was a terrific result,” said Bourne. “That is the first time that Bideford haven’t scored this season.

“We need to show the same energy and enthusiasm we showed against Gosport.

“I saw Gosport were 2-0 down at Taunton and got it back to 2-2 in the 90th minute.

“And they have to travel away again and hopefully we can use that to our advantage.”

Didcot Town host Halesowen Town aiming to make it back-to-back home wins.

Banbury United travel to Hemel Hempstead Town in the Red Insure Cup quarter final.

Tonight's squads Oxford City (v Stourbridge, home): from Mooney, Clarke, Learoyd, Ballard, Malone, Willmott, Benjamin, Lyon, Basham, Woodley, Barcelos, Pond, Bell, Blossom.

Abingdon Utd (v Gosport, home): from Foster, Buck, Young, Allaway, Carnell, Evans, Kingsbeer, Packer, Collier, Seaward, Parfitt, Biddle, Angell, Smith.