OXFORD City suffered back-to-back defeats over the bank holiday weekend when they were beaten 1-0 at Bath City yesterday.

Following Saturday’s home reverse at the hands of Slough, Tom Smith’s 60th-minute goal proved the difference in the Vanarama National League South clash.

But Bath were indebted to their former Oxford United goalkeeper Ryan Clarke, who made a number of fine saves to keep City at bay.

The visitors created their first chance on eight minutes, but Brandon Thomas-Asante fired high and wide.

Bath’s only effort of note was a deflected James Morton free-kick which was comfortable for visiting goalkeeper Craig King.

City could have broken the deadlock on 35 minutes when Kabongo Tshimanga pounced on a mistake from Morton and fed Craig Fasanmade, who was denied by the feet of Clarke.

Bath piled on the pressure to end the half on top.

Freddie Hinds hit a post with a curling effort, before King saved a Sean Rigg free-kick as neither side were able to break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes.

City sent on Zac McEachran in the 55th minute as they looked for an opener.

But it was the home side who took the lead on the hour mark.

Ryan Brunt collected an overhit Hinds cross and his ball into the box was fired home by Smith.

City threw on Kyran Wiltshire and Bobson Bawling in a bid to get back into the game.

Bath keeper Clarke was called into action on 70 minutes, parrying a Jack Self effort before Reece Fleet fired another shot wide.

The home stopper made another fine save with ten minutes to go, throwing himself in the way of Thomas-Asante’s strike.

Bath’s Sol Pryce then blazed over down the other end, but City still refused to give up.

Clarke beat away a Thomas-Asante free-kick, before they had one last chance in injury-time, but Fleet fired inches wide.

Oxford City: King, Jones, Case (Bawling 74), Self, Moore-Azille, Oastler, Fasanmade (Wiltshire 62), Fleet, Tshimanga, Thomas-Asante, James (McEachran 55).

Subs not used: Caro, Ashby.