KYRAN Wiltshire’s early strike gave Oxford City a 1-0 victory at lowly East Thurrock United on Saturday.

The midfielder slotted home the only goal of the Vanarama National League South game in the 18th minute as the visitors battled hard to see out victory in a match dominated by the weather.

Playing with a strong wind at their back in the first half, top-scorer Kabongo Tshimanga went down in the penalty area on five minutes, but was booked for diving.

However, City were on the front foot and soon took the lead.

The hosts’ defence parted, allowing Wiltshire to cruise through and neatly side-foot home.

Tshimanga twice went close, only to be denied by East Thurrock goalkeeper Jack Giddens.

The opening period ended in controversy when Josh Ashby’s corner seemed to go straight in, only for referee Phil Staynings to adjudge that his inswinger had gone out of play.

Despite playing against the wind in the second half, City forced five corners in as many minutes straight after the restart.

They were unable to grab an all-important second goal, but still remained on top.

However, they needed Craig King to produce a great save on 73 minutes.

The goalkeeper did well to push a header from a free-kick over for a corner, and from the resulting set-piece, the ball struck the bar.

City, however, went agonisingly close to doubling their lead when a header from Tarik Moore-Azille 11 minutes from time caught the wind.

It dropped under the bar, but in the scramble that followed, the hosts managed to hack the ball off the line to safety.

Reece Fleet also went close late on, Giddens again making the save, but City comfortably saw out time to collect a welcome three points.

Oxford City: King, Jones, Case, Ashby, Moore-Azille, Oastler, Wiltshire, Fleet, Tshimanga, Thomas-Asante, Self. Subs not used: Hopkins, Caro, Bawling, O’Donoghue, James.

Attendance: 202