OXFORDSHIRE Under 16s face an uphill task in the Premier League Inter-Counties Football Competition after slipping to a controversial 2-1 defeat against Dorset at Wantage Town.

Playing against the wind and up the slope in the first half of Wednesday's game, Oxon were unlucky not to take the lead when Matthew Brandish's shot hit the underside of the bar and came back out.

But then disaster struck for Oxon when goalkeeper Adrian Thomas hesitated in clearing the ball upfield after throwing it out of his area and a Dorset striker nipped in to score.

Oxon went on to dominate the second half and Brandish was again unfortunate when his cracking shot again hit the underside of the bar, rebounded against the back of the keeper and went out for a corner.

Oxon also had claims for a penalty turned down before they equalised with a header from Fletcher Hoey after good work by Josias Carbon.

Controversy then raged when Hoey raced through only to clash with the Dorset keeper as they both went for a 50-50 ball.

It broke loose to Paul Wilson, who slotted it home, but the linesman flagged for a foul and the goal was ruled out.

Dorset then caught Oxon on the break with a ball through the middle and the visitors' forward rounded Thomas to score.

Even then, Triston Lawrence had the ball in the net for Oxon in the last minute, but it was disallowed for offside.