An injury-hit Oxford City side emerged 5-3 victors from a bruising Vanarama Conference North encounter at Colwyn Bay on Saturday, writes Matthew Bruce.

However, they had to do so without defenders Alejandro- Adrian Santiago and Ander Del Alamo after losing both to injury inside the first 25 minutes and without defensive cover on the bench.

Free-scorng City raced into a three-goal lead in the first half thanks to efforts from Darren Pond, Marlon Jackson and Javi Rodriguez.

But Marc Williams struck twice either side of an Obi Anoruo goal to bring the hosts level at 3-3.

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However, late strikes from Adi Yussuf and Felipe Barcelos ensured it was City who took the points.

The visitors were in front after 13 minutes as Pond found himself in acres of space in the area to head on a floated free-kick.

They then struck twice more to take a commanding lead.

Jackson fired a low shot into the bottom corner to open his account on his full debut, followed shortly after by substitute Rodriguez, whose screa-mer from outside the area found the top corner.

The hosts pulled one back before the break when Williams volleyed in from the edge of the area after City failed to effectively clear a corner.

City’s defence looked increasingly ragged in the second half.

But it took a howler from goalkeeper Freddy Hall to hand the hosts the initiative, Anoruo tapping in an open goal after Hall’s attempted drop-kick rebounded back off Bay striker Tom Buckley.

And Williams restored parity shortly after with his second of the afternoon, breaking through the lines before rounding the keeper and rolling it into the empty net.

City could have crumbled at this point, but they fought back bravely and retook the lead, top scorer Adi Yussuf brilliantly outmuscling defender Filipe Anjos and slotting home.

Colwyn Bay launched into attack in a desperate attempt to equalise again.

City made the points safe on the stroke of full-time as Barcelos weaved through five challenges before finishing coolly past goalkeeper Liam Sharpe.

Oxford City: Hall, Benjamin, Stonehouse, Del Alamo (Rodriguez 23), Lapoujade, Santiago (Isaac 10), Pond, Mullings, Yussuf, Jackson, Winters (Barcelos 75). Subs not used: Hoban, Scott.

Attendance: 261.

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