Ten-man Oxford City slipped to a third successive defeat in Vanarama Conference Northas they were beaten 3-0 at home to Hednesford Town on Saturday, writes Matthew Bruce.

City had been in charge until Declan Benjamin’s red card just before half-time, and the visitors took advantage of the extra space available as Richard Batchelor scored twice and Glenn Walker also netted.

But it could all have been so different if City had struck while they were on top.

Tom Winters should have put the home side in front 22 minutes in after rounding the goalkeeper, but found Darren Campion waiting on the line to block his shot.

  • Latest Sport news Ander Del Alamo also went close from a free-kick, but it was just over the bar.

But after Benjamin was sent off for a reckless two-footed challenge on Steve Diggin, City found themselves with an uphill challenge.

They suffered a further blow just moments before the break as Batchelor headed the visitors in front with their first real chance of the match.

Adi Yussuf could have levelled shortly after the restart, outpacing the Hednesford defenders before shooting against the legs of goalkeeper Dan Crane.

But City, who included Spanish debutant Kiko Insa, were unable to compete in the second half and their three-man defence was repeatedly opened up by the visitors.

Diggin could have doubled the lead when he fired across the face of goal after Alex Melbourne had found him lurking.

But the inevitable second goal came shortly after, Walker nodding in a deep cross at the back post as Hednesford broke forward devastatingly.

Batchelor then got his second of the afternoon two minutes from time as he headed into the top corner to round off a miserable afternoon for the home side.

Oxford City: Abbey, Benjamin, Stonehouse, Del Alamo (Lapoujade 64), Santiago, Insa, Pond (Isaac HT), Mullings, Yussuf, Jackson, Winters (Rodriguez 64). Subs not used: Afolabi, Henderson.

Referee: M Amphlett.

Attendance: 316.

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