Oxford City 2, Bashley 4

Oxford City's Trophy hopes were dashed by a three-goal spell in eight minutes from Dr Martens League side Bashley at Court Place Farm on Saturday.

After a minute's silence for former City player, Aubrey Oakey, who died last week, City went on to give a first-half performance that could only be described as woeful.

There was a marked improvement after the interval, and with a bit more composure and luck in front of goal, they could still have recorded an unlikely victory.

City nearly went ahead early on when Crowfoot recovered well to block John Mitchell's follow-up after losing a free kick from Matty Whitehead.

Bashley opened the scoring in the 25th minute through Tilley's close-range goal and three minutes later, a cross looped off Paul Woodhouse to Hussey, who could not miss from a few yards.

In the 35th minute, it went from bad to worse when Woodhouse obstructed Jones for Blake to convert a controversial penalty.

Although Mitchell had one good effort saved, City continued to give the ball away time after time in the first half.

Manager Paul Lee made two substitutions on the restart and City pulled one back in the 47th minute when the lively Mitchell nipped between a defender and the keeper to score from 15 yards.

Mitchell and Danny Wise went close before Mitchell notched his 15th goal of the season, heading home Whitehead's free kick in the 58th minute to make it 3-2.

It was now a very different game and after several close shaves, the visitors were fortunate when a shot from Chris Fontaine rattled the angle of post and bar.

However, just when it looked like City must equalise, Bashley scored again through Gillespie after their first foray of the half into City's area.

City continued to create chances and Wise missed a sitter in the 78th minute, heading against the bar from six yards in front of a gaping goal.

A flurry of late City corners came to nothing, leaving them to wonder why they did not wake up before half-time!

**Oxford C: Nelson, Ferreira (Farley 70), Dark, Smith, Thorp, Woodhouse, Fontaine, Whitehead, Druce (Wise 45), Mitchell, Wimble (Emsden 45). Subs not used: Lewis, Billington.

Referee: S Humphrey.

Attendance: 148.