Oxford City 3 (Baird 2, 39, Lyon 50)

Rugby Tn 2 (King 32, Gordon 60)

Andy Baird's brace set Oxford City on the way to a hard-earned three points in their Premier Division basement battle at Court Place Farm on Saturday.

Baird opened the scoring after just two minutes when he beat Craig Herbert and shot beyond keeper Dave Clark after being picked out by Mark Bell.

Despite this early setback, bottom club Rugby kept City, who gave debuts to former Oxford United striker Jamie Brooks and centre back Steve Jackman from Hemel Hempstead, on the back foot.

Delroy Gordon headed just wide from Steve Purton's centre, before Darren Dykes' free-kick struck the City wall and was cleared.

Dykes then had a great chance to equalise, but missed the target with his header.

However, Rugby were level after 32 minutes when former Banbury midfielder Neil King raced through to score.

City keeper Ryan Harrison got across his goal well to push away a Herbert shot.

And City went back in front in the 39th minute when Craig Faulconbridge set up Baird for his second.

Moments later, Baird came off with a recurrence of his hamstring injury.

He was replaced by Michael Lyon, and he added to City's tally five minutes into the second half, turning inside to score with a fine strike.

Rugby pulled a goal back on the hour when Goirdon glanced home Purton's free-kick.

But City heledon to their slender advantage to move two places up the table to 19th place.

Oxford City: Harrison, Saulsbury, Davis, Gunn, Redknap, Jackman, Bell (Gardner 75), Malone, Faulconbridge, Baird (Lyon 41), Brooks, Kite, Avery, Weedon.

Referee: A Gillett (Aylesbury).

Attendance: 237.