Oxford City made hard work of their opening British Gas Business Division 1 South & West game and had to settle for the single goal after an array of missed chances.

It was City who looked the more promising in the first half with James Faulkner putting a good effort just past the far post.

He should also have done better when Jon Gardner crossed a perfect ball on 29 minutes, but he sent it straight to the keeper.

Bracknell's Jordan Kiffin had a couple of chances but a good block by Mark Avery and a save from Garath Tucker denied the visitors' striker.

City finally got their breakthrough in the 35th minute. A loose ball in the area saw Gardner's effort strike a defender and, despite the Bracknell defence's attempts to clear their lines, Darren Pond pounced to fire home from close range.

City's keeper Tucker had a quiet afternoon as little was seen of the visiting attack.

Dean Thomas might have got an equaliser following a free kick, but he put his header wide.

Although Bracknell enjoyed more of the play in the second period it was City who looked like adding to the score, especially when Jermaine McSporran was denied on several occasions by keeper Michael Parkin to give the City striker a frustrating afternoon.

Oxford City: Tucker, Saulsbury, Weirich, Gunn, Pond, Avery, Gardner, Redknap, Faulkner, McSporran, Malone (Hill 78). Subs not used: Davis, Janes, Bell, Stewart.

Ref: A Matthews (Kings Stanley).

Att: 173.