OXFORD City boss Mike Ford hopes converted defender Declan Benjamin can maintain his fine form when they travel to Stalybridge Celtic in Blue Square North tonight.

The midfielder was drafted in at right back against Gainsborough on Tuesday and has taken to the role admirably.

“I’ve got to be careful not to tempt fate, but in the eight games he has played there, we have lost only once (3-1 away to Colwyn Bay),” said Ford.

“He has done fantastically well for us there.”

Teenagers Ryan Barney, Louis Joyce and Zack McEachran are all likely to start as City hunt their ninth win on the road.

Juan Martin Leiva is likely to keep his place in goal.

Meanwhile, striker Ashan Holgate has left the Marsh Lane outfit.

Oxford City: from Leiva, Benjamin, Malone, Stonehouse, Learoyd, Willmott, McNish, Pond, Basham, Cook, McEachran, Bell, Barcelos, Stanley, Gunn, Joyce, Townsend.