MARK Jones believes his Oxford City side need to start putting their bodies on the line after a third successive defeat in midweek.

After letting slip the lead in their 2-1 defeat at Bath City on Tuesday, City host high-flying East Thurrock United tomorrow.

And Jones says his side need to quickly stop the rot.

“Four times this season, we’ve got in front, but haven’t been able to hold on,” he said.

“I’ll be totally honest, I’m struggling to understand why.

“I think, subconsciously, when we do score, the lads think ‘let’s make sure we don’t do anything silly’, rather than having that killer instinct.”

He added: “Apart from the Dartford game (which City lost 7-1), we’ve been losing by the odd goal here and there.

“But we cannot keep hiding behind that fact. We are not a development team, we are a first team, and our job is to send supporters home happy seeing us win.”

At Twerton Park on Tuesday, City led 1-0 at the break, only for them to concede twice in a minute in the second half.

“I was delighted with our first half against Bath,” Jones said. “We were dominating, we had good quality, and deserved to be in front.

“But second half, they had their spell, which I knew was coming, and we conceded two quick goals which just killed us.

“We just need to toughen up. Are we prepared to put bodies on the line?

“I’m not saying that we are a soft bunch, we work hard, but the physicality of the game perhaps isn’t our strong point.

“We don’t want to abandon our beliefs and do things that don’t suit our style of play, but I think it’s fair to say we definitely need to be a lot tougher.”

Jones, however, was full of praise for his latest signing, right back Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain, brother of England international Alex.

Jones said: “He had an encouraging debut. I thought he played well, especially in the first half.

“He’s a good athlete and good in the air. I know Portsmouth have a lot of belief in him, and he’s also slotted in nicely to help us in a position we’ve struggled in so far.”

Essex side East Thurrock come to Court Place Farm unbeaten so far this season, and Jones is calling on his side to produce a performance for the home support.

“I have great respect for East Thurrock. They are a hard-working, functional side, but with respect to them, they’re not Real Madrid! We need to be getting points against sides like this, and give a performance for our supporters.”

Captain Lee Henderson serves the final game of his suspension, while Mo Fofana (hamstring) is still out.

Oxford City (v East Thurrock Utd, home): from Stevens, Poku, Jones, Oastler, McEachran, Fleet, Paterson, Sinclair, Hirst, Peace, Bennett, Navarro, Ngathe, Forde, Oxlade-Chamberlain