Oxford City guaranteed themselves at least a place in the BGB Southern League Division 1 South & West play-offs with a hard-earned 2-1 victory away to struggling Slough on Saturday.

Desperate to earn points and avoid the drop, Slough began in determined mood, but it was City who were soon causing problems for the home defence.

After Roy Gumbs shot wide for Slough, City's Errol Telemaque had a great chance to open the scoring, but fired well off-target.

City took the lead after 18 minutes. Michael Lyon saw his effort blocked, but the ball came out to Darren Pond, whose shot took the slightest deflection on its way into the net.

Conditions were far from ideal, with regular showers and a bumpy pitch making flowing football tricky.

Usif Bangura should have done better with a good chance for Slough early in the second half, before City doubled their lead.

There was a big mix-up in the home defence as Brian Connor's backpass missed his keeper Lee Carroll, who had come to collect the ball.

The beneficiary of this generosity was Telemaque who tapped in City's second.

Despite the scoreline, City struggled to assume control and conceded a goal midway through the half when keeper Steve Smith's clearance fell to Steve Daly, who headed home.

However, City held on without undue alarm to go second after Fleet Town's home defeat by Hayes.

They are still four points behind leaders Farnborough, who have a game in hand.

Oxford C: Smith, Saulsbury, Woodruffe, Gunn, Pond, Avery, Telemaque (Carbon 65), Malone, Stewart, Lyon (Romeo 84), Bell (Davis 79). Sub not used: Gardner Referee: M Russell.

Attendance: 196