Mark Bell bagged a hat-trick as City saw off Marlow comprehensively in their British Gas Southern League Division 2 South & West game at Court Place Farm on Tuesday.

It didn't take the home side long to go ahead, Andy Gunn pouncing to turn the ball home after former City keeper Ian McTaggart mishandled Bell's cross.

It became 2-0 on 12 minutes when a hesitant Marlow defence failed to cut out Steve Davis's cross and Bell found the target.

Alex Stewart went close to a third before the break.

Marlow came back strongly in the second half, forcing home keeper Steve Smith to save Aaron Couch's header.

But City soon got back on top and turned the screw with goal No 3 when Jermaine McSporran's cross was met by Bell.

The same player then completed his treble eight minutes later.

Oxford C: Smith, Saulsbury, Cattell, Gunn, Pond (Redknap 45), Avery, Bell (Gardner 73), Malone, McSporran (Janes 73), Stewart, Davis. Subs not used: Merritt, Rendall.

Att: 184.