OXFORD City made a nightmare start to their Vanarama National League South campaign when suffering a 3-0 defeat at home to Concord Rangers.

Joel Nouble fired the visitors into a first-half lead, before goals from Kreshniq Krasniqi and Joe Gardner made sure it was an opening day to forget for Mark Jones’s side.

A minute’s silence was observed before kick-off in memory of City’s former club secretary John Shepperd, who died last Sunday.

Boss Jones handed debuts to summer signings Danny Rowe, Stefan Brown and Finn Tapp.

The home side created the first opportunity of the game on four minutes when Jack Self fed Rowe, but he was thwarted by an excellent challenge.

City goalkeeper Craig King was then called into action on 25 minutes, saving from Nouble.

City had to wait until the 36th minute for their next sight of goal, as Rowe fired the ball in from the edge of the area following a corner.

But Concord scrambled clear after a goalmouth scramble ensued.

City then suffered a blow on the brink of half-time as Nouble found space in the area to fire past King.

The home side continued to create chances after the break, but Brown saw his effort cleared off the line by Aron Pollock.

Jones made a double change on 62 minutes, bringing on Zach McEachran and Nana Owusu.

And the latter nearly made an immediate impact, hitting a post with a rasping drive from edge of the area.

But Concord put the game to bed with two goals in the space of six minutes.

Krasniqi slotted home to make it 2-0 after 75 minutes, before Gardner put the result beyond doubt.

City came close to a late consolation, but goalkeeper Chris Haigh denied Tapp.

Oxford City: King, Jones, Jefford, Ashby, Oastler, Wiltshire (Owusu 62), Fleet, Brown, Self (McEachran 62), Rowe (Moore-Azille), Tapp.

Subs not used: Caro, Fasanmade.