Oxford Hawks went down 1-0 to Nottingham in their opening English League Division 2 match of the season at Banbury Road North.
The Oxford side lost their shape for a ten-minute spell from the fifth minute and paid the price as former England international Kalbir Takher fired Nottingham in front.
Goalkeeper Phil Hargreaves then prevented Nottingham going further in front when he saved a penalty flick, following a rash tackle by Andy Clark.
However, from the quarter hour mark, Hawks were the more dominant team, but they couldn't break through a packed defence.
They forced several short corners, the Nottingham keeper pulling off good saves first from Dutchman Steffan Crouwel and then from Richard Fogden's flick.
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