Oxford City 5

(Lyon 5, 17, Pond 11, Gunn 25, Bell 90)

AFC Hayes 1

(James 65)

OXFORD City boosted their promotion challenge in Division 1 South & West with a scintillating first-half show to blow away AFC Hayes at Court Place Farm.

City stormed into a four-goal lead inside 25 minutes, and they could have had more.

They got off to a flying start by taking the lead after five minutes.

Hayes were unable to clear George Redknap's header, and it fell to Michael Lyon, who drove a shot in at the top corner for his first City goal since joining from Bedford last month.

Six minutes later, City doubled their lead when Redknap touched on Mark Bell's corner for Darren Pond to head home.

Hayes' attack was non existent giving Steve Smith a quiet time in City's goal.

From a free kick Dean Clark drove wildly over.

In the 17th minute, Lyon got a second after being set up by Andy Gunn.

And, eight minutes later, Gunn headed home Bell's corner.

In the second period, Dan Jordan ought to have done better for Hayes when he drove a shot past the post.

Sean James pulled one back for Hayes with a super strike in the 65th minute.

But the visitors suffered with injuries and went down to ten men, having used all of their substitutes.

However, by then the game was beyond their reach, and City sealed victory in the last minute when Bell fired home Jon Gardner's left-wing cross.

Oxford City: Smith, Saulsbury, Davis, Gunn, Pond (Stewart 65), Avery, Gardner, Malone, Redknap, Lyon (Romeo 65), Bell. Subs not used: Roper, Merritt.

Referee: J Bate (Stourbridge).

Attendance: 178.