OXFORD City were beaten 3-0 at Dartford in a Vanarama National League South contest that will be remembered for a sickening injury to Finn Tapp.

The defender was stretchered off in the eighth minute after he was knocked unconscious following a clash of heads, although it thankfully proved less serious than first feared.

A lengthy delay meant 12 minutes were added on at the end of the half, during which the hosts scored their opening two goals.

Dartford found the net again just before the hour mark to put the game beyond City, who fall one place to 13th.

Visiting boss Andy Ballard named the same starting XI that beat leaders Wealdstone 3-2 the weekend before, but that continuity was disrupted by Tapp’s injury.

Play was held up while the 20-year-old received treatment, with Tarik Moore-Azille eventually replacing him.

City understandably struggled to get into a rhythm and could have gone behind on 32 minutes, but Darren McQueen shot high and wide.

Elliot Benyon and Elliott Romain received yellow cards after clashing off the ball just before the break as City’s afternoon got worse.

Joe Oastler was cautioned for a foul in the box and McQueen stepped up to give Dartford a 45th-minute lead.

In the ninth minute of stoppage time the hosts made it 2-0, Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong firing past Max Harris.

The home side started the second half the brightest, although Jaanai Gordon had a header tipped wide.

But in the 58th minute Dartford all-but wrapped up the points.

Luke Wanadio, who had laid on the assist for the second goal, was given time on the right and arrowed a shot into the bottom corner.

Dartford could have added to their lead, while Stefan Brown missed a late chance to bag a consolation on a miserable day for City.

Oxford City: Harris, Jefford, Oastler, Fleet, Benyon (Owusu 81), McEachran, George, Berkoe, Lofthouse, Gordon (Brown 62), Tapp (Moore-Azille 19). Unused subs: Jones, Wiltshire.

Attendance: 1,116.