Oxford City 1

Uxbridge 0

Mark Bell scored the winner as Oxford City won promotion to the Premier Division with a hard-fought play-off final victory against Uxbridge at Court Place Farm on Saturday.

Bell struck in the 35th minute, latching onto James Saulsbury's cross in an encounter that never reached the heights of Wednesday's semi-final against Didcot.

While that victory was largely down to their finishing, City showed how well they can defend, with skipper Saulsbury, Mark Avery, Andy Gunn and Leon Woodruffe keeping a very physical Uxbridge at bay.

They had a scare early on when Kevin Warner's shot fizzed past an upright, but in truth Uxbridge, who won their semi-final against Fleet on Thursday, never threatened to spoil the party.

City lacked cohesion in their play and it wasn't until the half-hour that they created their first real chance, only for Bell to mis-kick at the vital moment after Michael Lyon, whose pace caused Uxbridge problems throughout, whipped over a super cross.

However, Headington youngster Bell made no mistake minutes later when he controlled Saulsbury's cross before turning his marker and firing home to the delight of the City fans among the 600-plus crowd, for his 20th goal of the season.

City continued to press with Uxbridge defender Mark Boyce forced to head a dangerous cross from Lyon.

Uxbridge persisted with the long-ball approach, which City dealt with quite comfortably, while the hosts tried to employ a passing game.

After the break, Uxbridge tried to get back in the game, with former Chelsea man Mark Nicholls seeing his goalbound shot deflected for a corner.

At the other end, Darren Pond, the hero of the win against Didcot, fired a tremendous 25-yard shot that went inches wide of the Uxbridge goal on 59 minutes.

Uxbridge were starting to lose their discipline, with Nicholls and John Dyer booked for dissent.

On 75 minutes, City's George Redknap tried his luck from distance, but lashed the ball over Louis Wells's crossbar, before good interplay between Liam Malone and substitute Errol Telemaque, saw the former see his shot blocked.

City were indebted to Pond on 78 minutes, after he made a brilliant challenge on Mark Dennison as he headed for goal.

Uxbridge threw everyone forward in a bid to level, but City held firm as they booked their place in the Southern League's top-flight.

Oxford City: Smith, Saulsbury, Woodruffe, Gunn, Pond, Avery, Bell (Gardner 78), Malone, Romeo (Telemaque 64), Redknap (Stewart 78), Lyon. Subs not used: Falconbridge, Allaway.

Attendance: 646