OXFORD City missed the chance to go second in the table as they fell to a heavy defeat at home to Solihull Moors on Saturday, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

With most of their league rivals in the FA Cup, City had the perfect opportunity to take advantage, but their impressive recent form deserted them.

Darren Byfield’s brace and goals from Omar Bogle and Ryan Beswick put the visitors firmly in control, before Marlon Jackson netted a late consolation for City.

There was little to suggest the hosts would take a battering in the early exchanges as City started threateningly.

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Adi Yussuf dispossessed defender Liam Daley, but saw his shot blocked by the legs of goalkeeper Tony Breeden.

And Breeden was again called on to keep out Javi Rodriguez’s fierce free-kick, diving at full stretch to tip it over the bar.

But it was the visitors who drew first blood as ex-Walsall and Rotherham United forward Byfield tapped in the rebound after Mark Scott had parried Beswick’s effort.

City were uncharacteristically direct in their response, but their repeated long balls caused little trouble for the Solihull defence, who looked comfortable.

And they tightened their grip ten minutes before the break as Darryl Knights seized on a mix-up between City defenders Declan Benjamin and Lee Henderson.

He then played in Bogle, who slipped the ball beneath Scott after racing through one-on-one.

City started the second half much brighter and twice could have reduced the deficit in the opening minutes.

Firstly, Jackson sliced just over from close range, and then Yussuf fired across the face of goal after a cheeky flick from substitute Kynan Isaac.

But their slim chances of a comeback were ended as they conceded twice in the space of four minutes to hand the visitors the points.

Solihull’s third came completely out of the blue as Beswick volleyed in off a post after a quick break.

Moments later they made it four as Byfield notched his second, turning in Bogle’s diagonal ball as City’s defence were again easily undone.

Jackson pulled a goal back when he tapped in Declan Benjamin’s ball centre, but it was too little, too late.

Oxford City: Scott, Benjamin, Stonehouse (Barcelos 61), Pond, Lapoujade, Henderson, Hoban (Winters HT), Mullings, Yussuf, Rodriguez (Isaac 55), Jackson. Sub not used: Afolabi.

Referee: T Wood.

Attendance: 334.

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