Oxford City 0

Didcot Town 1 (Hope 63)

Didcot Town boosted their Division 1 South & West title bid as they got the better of fellow high-fliers Oxford City 1-0 in a hard-fought derby at Court Place Farm on Saturday.

A second-half goal from Liam Hope saw Didcot close the gap on second-placed City to a point and leaders Fleet to six.

In truth, the result could have gone either way, with both defences dominating a tense encounter which was watched by a bumper crowd of 517.

City, who saw striker Alex Stewart complete a move to Burnham on Friday night, should have taken the lead in the first minute.

But Darren Pond headed Errol Telemaque's cross wide after the former won a race to the ball with Didcot keeper Michael Watkins.

Minutes later, City's Romeo Yashwa headed over after more good work from the excellent Telemaque.

At the other end, Andy Williams, who was outstanding in defence, miskicked from six yards out after being picked out by Hope.

Romeo went close before he was denied a penalty when he appeared to be bundled over in the area. But the referee waved away their app- eals.

Hope curled a shot wide, before Andy Gunn's header from Telemaque's corner was cleared off the line by Williams.

Telemaque should have put City in front, but screwed his shot wide. And they were to pay for their missed chances later on.

City centre back Mark Avery blocked a shot from Didcot's Anaclet Odhiambo and teammate Andy Parrott headed over.

After the break, Jack King almost gave the visitors the lead, but shot inches wide of a post.

And Didcot showed City how to finish when Hope, tapped home in the 63rd minute after keeper Steve Smith kept out Odhiambo's piledriver.

Telemaque spurned a golden chance to level, but fired wide from Mark Bell's excellent cross.

King smashed a shot over the City bar, before Ashley Vine shot wide as Didcot looked to double their lead.

City threw everything at Didcot in the closing stages, but the Railwaymen's solid defence held firm.

Oxford City: Smith, Saulsbury (Janes 67), Woodruffe (Davis 70), Avery, Pond, Gunn, Bell, Malone, Romeo, Telemaque, Redknap (Jones 75). Subs not used: Roper, Allaway.

Didcot Tn: Watkins, Heapy, Jack, Williams, Parrott, Witt, Mulvany (Hopkins 61), King, Odhiambo (Gooding 85), Vine, Hope. Subs not used: Peirson, Thomas, Bicknell.

Attendance: 517